Does this sound like TOS?
 

Hi everyone. I'm hoping someone could shed some light on multiple RSI issues I've been experiencing for 2 years now.

So 2 years ago I was working in a records department and after 8 months of 8 hours a day x 5 days a week of repetitively lifting heavy boxes and sorting through folders, I developed pain in my thumbs & forefingers (the "pincer grip") that was quickly diagnosed as DeQuervain's tendonitis from overuse and was told to rest my hands for a fortnight.

Unfortunately rest did nothing, and the pain, as well as spreading to both wrists, forearms, upper arms & shoulders which were ridiculously tender, increased and changed from simply being sore to throbbing, burning and various degrees of tingling/nerve pains in my hands and fingers. I was then diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & tendonitis of my arms, given splints to wear and referred to a physiotherapist.

The physiotherapist was both clueless and useless, and after several months of severe pain and disability, my condition had improved enough for me to stop wearing splints (which caused fluid build up in my thumbs and temporary atrophy due to lack of use = more pain!) Anyway, since I hadn't really received any significant treatment, I was still experiencing all of the above daily, which although got ever so slightly better when I didn't use my arms at all, as soon as I tried to do the things I used to (work, cook, clean, exercise, etc) it all came back.

After nearly a year, and multiple useless diagnoses (including fibromyalgia *rolls eyes*) I discovered myotherapy & trigger points, and once I began this treatment (both by a myotherapist & self-treatment), both my pain and tingling improved immensely.

2 years later, I have recovered most of my strength and am generally pain-free unless I overdo it (mainly heavy or repetitive lifting, or sitting at the computer too long). However, I still experience varying degrees of tingling or other paresthesia in my hands, and significant weakness/pain in my wrists (for example, if I bend my wrist back it often - but not always - feels sprained). This is almost daily.

I have identified that a lot of the tingling originates from my scalenes, and have noticed that when the tingling/pain in my hands & fingers gets really bad, I generally have very sore/stiff/tense shoulders and often develop a tension headache. And I'm not sure whether this is relevant/normal or not, but if I have my arms raised in any way for a short period of time, my hands go tingly or numb, and I can't feel my pulse in my wrist.

I've spoken to my GP about the possibility of TOS, but he was an idiot and didn't even know what I was talking about, so I'm hoping that someone with some first hand experience with the condition could help me out.

I've been dealing with this for such a long time now, and have received so many diagnoses by so many different doctors that I just feel completely lost. :(

Any response is greatly appreciated.

Postional pain and neurologic symptoms (as you describe above) is a key defining characteristic of TOS. Many of your other symptoms also align with TOS.
I would suggest that you see a TOS specialist. A number of doctors are listed in the sticky notes and throughout the posts. If you don't live near one -- then I would also recommend that you travel to get to one. Its best to get a handle on this ASAP.

Also, many folks on the board have suggested seeing a physical therapist that has training/certification from the Institute of Physical Art. Try to find one in your area.

Thanks for sharing your story. It's very encouraging to hear that you have improved so much from the trigger point work.

Best wishes for continued improvement...

It sounds very much like many scenarios we have read here.

If you can't locate a TOS doctor, please seek out some expert PT/ chiropractor/ body worker.. A good TOS knowledgeable dr would probably rx PT anyway, unless you are having clots or severe pain..

Poor/ineffective PT/DC/ etc is a waste of $$ & time and may even set you back, do not stay if you feel like there is no forward progress, esp if things become worse with treatment.
After a few poor PT experiences you will finally find a really good one..

Often a evaluation appt is a good way to get a feel for what they really know ask a lot of questions.

If you do a TOS crash course thru our useful sticky threads - it will help you know what to ask and you'll know if they are blowing smoke or really knowledgeable..:)

You may still need some top rib/alignment work to recover even more.

I was at an Ok stage but still probs with much activity, decided to try a PT teacher that had his own clinic. During the evaluation he asked if he could try dropping my top ribs and I said OK, it was simple and not painful at all. It worked !! amazingly :D
I had severe spasms previously and my chiro had helped a lot with resolving those but they had pulled my top ribs up and they got stuck like that..
It was why I had ongoing issues with minor use.

So next DC appt I told him what the PT guy had done , so then he checked my top ribs every time , they did pop back up a few times but he got them back down, then they finally stayed down and I could tell if they started to rise if I carried something heavy for awhile, as time past no problems anymore with that.

He is right and it's more than important than anything else to fallow what he say about this parts.

Poor/ineffective PT/DC/ etc is a waste of $$ & time and may even set you back, do not stay if you feel like there is no forward progress, esp if things become worse with treatment.
After a few poor PT experiences you will finally find a really good one..

If it get worse and if they tell you it is normal you should think to go somewhere else. Where are you living?

Alexis

Hi guys, thanks for your responses. I didn't know you could have rib adjustments... I have to check that out. So far I've been too nervous to see a chiropractor, since I haven't had an MRI of my neck to rule out any issues there (had an Xray and it was normal) so I want to do that beforehand.

Is a sign of TOS tenderness around the collarbone area?

I live in Australia, unfortunately could not find a local forum...

I am just saying what i think accord to my personal experience. I think you should go see a chiropractor and ask them if they know the TOS and if they had experience whit it in the past. If yes i would suggest you to try 1 or 2 treatment to see if you can see some improvement and i would think it's gonna happen. Again i am just saying about my personal experience.

I was suppose to go live in Australia and i did some recherche to see who are the specialist neuro and vascular surgeon there. There is more but i din't get any review about them. I will be really surprise if you have to go trough a surgery with your past experience but here is the list. Also you can take a look to see Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

- John Harris (Vascular)
- Dr. Walid Mohabbat (Vascular) NSW
- Mr Matthew Claydon (Vascular)
- Mr Greg Malham (Neuro) Melbourne

Where are you in Australia?

Alexis

Jo*mar, where are those ribs located?

A good chiro should order x rays at the very least.. especially after hearing all symptoms and concerns... but they should be able to do a fairly good evaluation. But after the x rays are done would be best.

My chiro adjusted my wrists, elbows, ankle, shoulder... just about any joint- a good one can do it perfectly.

The top ribs are very close to the collarbone/clavicle, that is why poor posture (forward head /forward shoulders) or accidents can make the two of them pinch on the nerves or the blood flowing thru the area.
Plus the scalenes are attached too and they cause trouble when they get tight or spasm.

1st rib and collar bone images- results -
https://encrypted.google.com/search?...sch&tbs=imgo:1

This has a very clear drawing of all the area-
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disord..._syndrome.aspx

I'm in Victoria, so Melbourne is closest to me, but I don't think I will need any kind of surgery. Thanks for the list though.

I seem to have a lot of soft tissue problems throughout my arms (trigger points/tendonitis-maybe), so I'm assuming/hoping it's predominantly my scalenes/shoulder muscles are messing everything up.

I will definitely make an appointment with a chiro.

If you can find a highly skilled DC that also does other types of bodywork or PT modalities it is really helpful .
Mine used ultrasound, low level laser, IF stim, trigger point, deep tissue work..
a nice therapy mix- and saved me from having to go to a separate PT place.