Hi all,

I had a first rib resection with anterior scalene removal for ntos/vtos (compressed subclavian vein) in August 2012. The surgery went perfectly and I woke up smiling (no joke...and yes, it wore off) because all of a sudden I could move my 4th finger, which I hadn't been able to prior to surgery. The surgery gave me full hand strength back instantly. A ton of scar tissue was removed, I felt good in terms of nerve symptoms for about 2 weeks. Then, the nerve burning returned, which at first we thought was normal, given how inflamed things can get after surgery.

I had Botox in the pec minor (believed to be causing additional nerve compression) in November 2012 as a test to see if pec minor release would be effective, had a bad nerve flare and then things began to improve in January. Early February, my nerve symptoms returned with a vengeance (we assumed because of the Botox wearing off? Though it isn't definitive how much it did.) along with intermittent weakness in my 4th/5th fingers. Things in my chest are inflamed and my ulnar nerve is VERY irritated.

I'm a musician and have taken the last 7 months completely off. Since my surgery, I've tried some OT (mostly massage) but can't strengthen or exercise much because it sets the nerves off. I've also done Alexander Technique (helped a little), pilates (very modified), meditation/visualization, and have tried stationary bike (up to 15 minutes before nerves get set off), swimming (just kicking with flippers- initially ok but not anymore), and elliptical (only backwards for 5 minutes works.) I have been making progress but it is very slow and not consistent. Ativan or Zanaflex help a little but the results don't last; normal pain meds don't help. I haven't found a good PT yet and my surgeon says to stick with range of motion.

I'm considering the pec minor release, but would be grateful for any input. I was considering seeing an RSI specialist recommended to me (again, I do very little during the day right now- can't type much, etc.) but wonder if this would even be helpful right now, if the problem is truly structural and especially given that my nerves burn and I experience numbness/weakness at rest. (I might have had RSI when this started 2 years ago but now I wonder...) Given that there is a chance the pec minor release may permanently help, especially given my profession and that I need to hold up an instrument, it's tempting. I don't want to drag this process out longer than it needs to be- as it has been a long road- but I also want to be well informed about this decision.

I've read some of the pec minor threads- anyone have some recent input?

Thanks so much!