Thank you for being so honest. The vascular surgeon that diagnosed me in May (after three years of symptoms and seeing other docs) was also honest with me when he saw me recently for follow up. He said that he would have preferred to have been the one who fixed me, but he was happy that I was fixed with physical therapy.
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Originally Posted by shengggmd
I have neurogenic type of tos and has been living with it since early 20s. I first felt the pain and the subsequent numbness and tingling in my left arm after a minor car accident. I thought at first it was just minor bruising and soreness related to the accident. As time went on these symptoms only worsened. I was seen over the period of few months by neurologist, orth, and neurosurgeons. All tests including MRI and EMGs were negative. I was told that all these may be in my head.
With much frustration and anger. I researched extensively on the topic. I think the most important thing for me is to resist the use of narcotics for pain control. Physical therapy and relaxation therapy helped me greatly, I also took on yoga for a few years that helped me to maintain good posture and strengthen my shoulder girdle. I am currently doing very well with minimal symptoms. only time I get some level of symptoms is when I spent all day in the operating room. As a vascular surgeon that treats TOS. I believe the field is full of controversies and may be even fraud, even amongst vascular surgeons.
I believe that the best way to approach treatment is through a multispecialized approach. As a surgeon I make money doing TOS surgery ( which everyone has to keep that in mind, that there is secondary gains there for the surgeons) but as a patient that is essentially cured by physical therapy I believe that physical therapy is perhaps the most important part of the equation. I would be very happy to answer any questions you all may have. hopefully, i can provide you all with some level of comfort and reassurance.
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