NeuroTalk Support Groups - 1 year since surgery

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- - 1 year since surgery - will answer questions (https://www.neurotalk.org/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/163907-1-surgery-answer-questions.html)

1 year since surgery - will answer questions

1st rib resection and scalenectomy in Baton Rouge La exactly one year ago. 75% improvement. Problem was my left side - non-dominant hand. had all of the tests, phys therapy, etc. Nothing helped before. I was at my wits end. No other health problems before surgery, so I guess that helped with my quick and easy recovery. As for now and the future, keeping my shoulder girdle really strong seems to help with the remaining symptoms.

I have gotten so much help from forums before I decided to have the surgery, I wanted to offer to answer questions to anyone who might be interested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitedianthus (Post 844933)

Where was your incision/s made? How are your scar's, what do they look like now?
I'm almost 5 months post first rib excision, with 3 1/2" incisions above and below my collarbone. They are visually looking much better but still some way to go regarding loss of redness. Did you experience tightness around the incision region and if so how long before the area started to feel relaxed?
Any input would be appreciated.:winky:

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD38 (Post 845044)

Where was your incision/s made?
My incision was in the armpit, 2.5 inches, slight white line now. Very superficial numbness at tricept and in armpit. I am advised that the numbness is likely permanent. Its not an issue for me

How are your scar's, what do they look like now?
Scar is minimal - I am fast healer.

I'm almost 5 months post first rib excision, with 3 1/2" incisions above and below my collarbone. They are visually looking much better but still some way to go regarding loss of redness. Did you experience tightness around the incision region and if so how long before the area started to feel relaxed?

Don't remember much tightness. Maybe the difference is where our surgeries were. I have heard that the approach they took with you is more thorough, as they can get rid of ALL fibrous bands. The trade off there is the bigger scarring.

As far as relaxed... I never knew how tight my neck was until I had the anterior scalene removed on the left side. The side where the surgery was feels like silk, no tension. The other side, tight as a drum.

Any input would be appreciated.:winky:

Hope this helped some.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitedianthus (Post 845150)

Hope this helped some.

Many thanks whitedianthus:winky:
Best wishes to you:)

I have recently been diagnosed with bi-lateral cervical ribs and have searched for a surgeon for further testing and possible resection in the future. It seems a daunting task since every surgeon I've called (hundreds) turns me away like I'd told them I've killed their dog. Not one surgeon will agree to see me or do any testing and I'm assuming it's because of the lack of info on the condition which is why I would like to know if you could give me the name of your surgeon...? I cannot believe that there isn't any surgeon in the entire state of Florida that is familiar with this or will at least run some tests.
Thank you so much for any info you can provide...the orthopedic surgeon that found my extra ribs has told me he believes they are about 6" in length and according to my X-rays, they begin above my collarbone and curve downward ending below my collarbone and push outward against my chestplate, I can palpate the end of them thru my chest....so I'm ready to move forward with my search because of all the pain they are causing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitedianthus (Post 844933)