Clearly have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and I would like to know if this can be treated with a Stellate Canglion Block?????

I don't know that it is a treatment??
I think more of a diagnosing tool.
Also have seen it mentioned for CRPS/RSD dxing.

[A stellate ganglion block determines if there is damage to the sympathetic nerve chain and if it is the source of arm pain.]
http://www.spineuniverse.com/exams-t...ganglion-block

more -
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...+Block&spell=1

Are you able to list some of your most bothersome symptoms?
We might be able to point you to some helps or ideas for them.

I just posted a new thread on Trigger point self care & information this morning so look for it in the sticky threads {right above main TOS thread list w/little green icon w/arrow}
And the useful sticky thread also has polls, links, articles, videos, saved threads with very good info...

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us.

There are great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. Just let us know if we can be of any help. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

Small finger and ring finger on the right hand are not numb but have the sensation of being slammed in a car door. (No other way to describe the sensation) Complete muscle wasting of the right hand and forearm now seems to be moving to bicep area of arm. Some pain in my wrist and elbow. In the morning I have some discomfort in right shoulder blade but that subsides after morning exercise. If I run warm water over the affected fingers, hand and wrist area the sensation and pain are minimized for a short time. Neruologist diagnosis is "Right lower cervical radiculopathy" Nurosurgeon calls it "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome" Nurosurgeon said there is nothing mechanically wrong so surgury is not required. This has been going on for one year but lately seems to be getting worse. No sevre pain mostly discomfort and total loss of strength.

"Neruologist diagnosis is "Right lower cervical radiculopathy"

Is this something that shows up on a MRI? Seems like it should if it is what he says it is..
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00332


There's another kind of block that can help dx /rule out TOS or C spine causes. Drawing a blank on the name of it right now.
?? anybody?? Help??
scalene block? is that one of them?

Ok, found it- thank you Google LOL-
[Other diagnostic tests that are helpful are a scalene muscle block for TOS and a pectoralis minor muscle block for the pectoralis minor syndrome. These are simple office tests that involve a 15 second injection of xylocaine into the anterior scalene or pectoralis minor muscle. The tests give strong support to the correct diagnosis if within a minute or two of the injection there is good relief of symptoms and improvement in physical exam findings.]
http://www.ecentral.com/members/rsanders/

and

[Ann Vasc Surg. 1998 May;12(3):260-4.
Diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome using electrophysiologically guided anterior scalene blocks.

Jordan SE, Machleder HI.

Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
Abstract

There is no "gold standard" for diagnosing thoracic outlet compression syndrome (TOS), however, anesthetic blocks of the anterior scalene muscle (ASM) have been used as a means of predicting which patients may benefit from surgical decompression. The standard technique of using surface landmarks often results in inadvertent somatic block and sympathetic block because there is no reliable verification of needle tip localization. The present study was undertaken to determine if needle tip localization can be improved by using electrophysiological guidance. ASM blocks were performed for patients with a diagnosis of possible TOS. An insulated hypodermic needle was inserted into the ASM which was identified during electromyogram (EMG) activation maneuvers. Stimulation was performed to make sure that the needle tip was not in the brachial plexus. Local anesthetic was instilled and the intensity of pain induced by TOS stress maneuvers was compared to pain ratings obtained after control injections. The ASM could be identified electromyographically in all 122 cases. There were no instances of inadvertent somatic block nor sympathetic block. Of 38 patients who underwent surgical decompression of the thoracic outlet, 30 of 32 (94%) with a positive block had a good outcome compared with 3 of 6 (50%) who underwent surgery in spite of a negative block. Electrophysiological guidance facilitates accurate needle tip placement in the performance of ASM blocks; the results of these blocks appear to correlate with surgical outcomes.

PMID: 9588513 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9588513
[more @ the page on the right side]


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If you aren't having a lot of pain then it's possible with proper self care & really good PT or even a bit of expert chiropractic care {if C spine pinching the nerve is part of the problem} {I've been going to my DC for 5+ yrs now and no scary stuff has happened - he is very good and not a beginner or a crack and bill ya type - he does many PT type modalities ultra sound, LLLT, IF stim- like a PT/DC in one place.}

Have you been getting any PT or therapy at all?
I suggest going to Sharon Butlers website and explore it - www.selfcare4rsi.com - her TOS program really benefited me , but I did need the added help from DC & a few adv PT to really get on the recovery path . Plus the self care stretches & trigger point, nutrition, R&R that I did myself.

Read about sticky fascia and do some regular slow and gentle stretches to see if things improve from it.
Also clear fluids to keep you hydrated and helps keep those fascial tissues slick so they don't stick to nearby muscles, nerves and such.

Hi, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with many friendly, caring, and helpful people.

We're so glad you found us!

Welcome to NT

You have come to the right place for info, support, and helpful caring people who truely understand from experience. TOS is difficult to diagnose, treat and live with.

I have had bilateral stellate ganglions. they are done in a very controlled setting so do not be afraid. There are risks, as with any procedure. I did not think it helped me, at all. It made my symptoms worse.

It may have been used as diagnostic, I'm not sure. I just didn't get relief from it.

Let us know what you are having trouble with and someone here has been through it. We're here for you.

No questions are too silly here.

Here is the TOS forum link:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

Take care...