"True TOS/cervical rib syndrome"
 

Hello..
So I (finally) just found out that I have two cervical (extra) ribs, and the one on the left is larger and compressing nerves. I am waiting for my referral to go to Phoenix to have surgery & get it removed. The rare/complicated part is that the artery is going over the rib though, instead of being compressed underneath it..making it harder to get around (more risky) to removed the rib. I just wanted to see if anyone else has the same problem and has had surgery, or maybe just more extensive knowledge of it. I'm too impatient to wait to speak to the surgeon (plus I live in Texas), but I have not been able to find any case at all where the artery is in the same position as mine. Please send any more info if you can..Thank you. :)

Hi and welcome!
I also had bilateral cervical ribs, although my right side is the one that was worse. Before surgery, I had an aneurysm in my subclavian artery. I'm not sure exactly where it went through, but I know it was messed up.
I had surgery in June by Dr. Thompson at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. I was extremely impressed by him and his staff. He never batted an eye at my issues even though I know my situation was a little more complicated than some since I had the extra ribs plus the aneurysm. He was totally confident that he could fix my problems, and he did.
The recovery was rough at times, but it has been completely worth it just to have it fixed once and for all. It meant so much to me to go to who I felt was a very qualified surgeon who specialized in TOS. I was fortunate in that I only live about 4-5 hours from St. Louis and also have Federal insurance that I can use anywhere in the US. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to go to him.
I wish you the best with your upcoming appointment! Hope you get some very helpful information and a great plan moving forward!

Hi,
I'm sure they have ways to cut the rib into pieces to remove it if they can't get it all in one piece. They can work around the artery I'm pretty sure of that.
Be sure to have an expert TOS / vascular surgeon and you should be fine.

K8lin_09: Im sure they will find a way to work and perform the surgery in a safe way! :) when are you having surgery? mine is in two days! good luck!

JR197: It seems that our stories are quite similar. I also have two cervical ribs, in my case, the right one bigger. It is a complete rib attached to the first rib! I also have an aneurysm in my subclavian artery, did you get an implant to fix it? Mine is causing big troubles! I had some clots removed two weeks ago.

Hi k8lin09 - there are options
 

Hi there. I have bilateral cribs, and my two (now grown) kids have them also...a triple whammy. All three of us have each had one side surgically resected, the side that was most symptomatic. Our surgeon removed our first rib transaxillary (through the armpit), and also a bit of muscle and the tip of the crib to open space for everything to not be compressed. We have each ahd varrying degrees of success with this approach. We felt is was the safest way to go, but admit that years postop some symptoms are returning-possibly scartissue, muscle regrowth? That is my experience. I have blogged my recovery from surgery and tips on managing TOS- www.rtosjourney.blogsopt.com
Hope you are having a good day-take care! :)