9 Mths Post Surgery - New Atrophy :-(
 

Hi all,
I had 1st rib resection and anterior scalenectomy in January of this year. After some complications, I was on the mend and had near complete resolution of TOS symptoms, though shoulder impingement was severe and required a lot of phys therapy to get on the right track. I have much better range of motion in shoulders (yup...both shoulders wonky), but I cannot throw a ball with either arm or I will be on the floor with searing pain. I can live with that, as I was just happy to be pain free at rest...finally! I no longer feel like there is a tourniquet on my arm, and for that I am extremely grateful.

Well, about 3 months ago I noticed a small "dent" at the top of my arm on side my TOS surgery was on. We moved across the Country in June, so I have largely ignored this dent. However, it is becoming much more pronounced, an it is clear my deltoid is atrophying away. I am also experiencing intermittent deep, boring pain in that area. I will, of course, pursue a doctor's evaluation (dreading starting up this whole military health care referral process...took over 7 years to get to surgery from onset of symptoms the first time around), but I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar. What is especially perplexing is that I did not have this atrophy before surgery. I had atrophy in my scapula and hand, but not my deltoid...this is new.

Just throwing it out there for consideration. Also, I'm now living in Virginia near, in D.C. area...any doctor recommendations? I was thinking John's Hopkins, but I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks!

Sorry to hear about your shoulder; I hope you find an understanding doctor soon. I sympathize with your sitiuation with military healthcare. I have recently been disgnosed with a cervical rib but my primary care provider didn't seem too concerned or think it was causing my arm pain and numbness; I had to beg for a consult to neuro and I'm active duty! Where did you have your surgery?

Julie A. Freischlag, M.D.
Surgeon-in-Chief, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
[Dr. Freischlag is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in the
diagnosis and treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome. She is presently conducting a
quality of life study on all patients before and years after surgical intervention for this
disease. ]
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/surge...lty/Freischlag

i have a deep ache in both my shoulders and no deltoid muscles but i didnt get surgery


the tourniquet on your arm feeling
is that pec minor?

this probably doesnt concern you but the picture is eeep

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neckandback/5097857206/

compression of c5 totally messed up his deltoid

Eerily similar
 

Actually, that shoulder looks a bit like mine. Of course, I'm in an earlier stage, but I've had neck issues my whole life and that could be compounding the issue.

Stanford was great
 

Had surgery up at Stanford University. Dr. Jason Lee...really great doc at the Vascular Surgery Clinic specializing in TOS.

Thank you! Interestingly, when you pull up John's Hopkins, the TOS area is under neurology. I actually want to head to neurology vice vascular, as I believe my nerve compression is possibly in areas other than the thoracic outlet. We'll see. Have an appt monday to get a referral. *sigh*