Post-op Physical Therapy
 

Hi all,

I am 3 weeks post-op today. I had a pec minor release/tenotomy, 1st rib resection and a scalenectomy. I have only been to one PT session thus far. I am not sure if the PT I am going to is very knowledgeable in post-op care of these surgeries. When I asked him if he'd treated any patients post-op that had these surgeries, he quickly nodded his head yes and moved on. Something tells me that is not the case. I am curious for those of you that have had the same procedures what PT post-op was like for you. Also, I am in the Dallas area so if any of you live here and have a PT that has helped you, please let me know :) Thank you in advance!

I actually had my physical therapy training on what I should do in recovery at the end of my try to prevent having surgery therapy. My husband has learned how to do the pec minor stretches to help with the pain that tends to ball up under my armpit region. Trying to be very gentle at this point with what I am doing. Gentle stretching and mobilization exercises. If I dont see some progress I do plan on returning to physical therapy. But healing does take time...I'm learning to take my time...whether I like it or not :p

Amber:hug:

I'm seeing that time is a great contender in healing. I had great results the first week, and then the pain returned. Today was interesting at PT, but the jury is still out if I've found a good one. He wants to start dry needling next week. My doctor has approved so I am looking forward to anything that will help :) Thank you for replying and sharing.

Hi Hope
 

Hi, I didn't have the same surgery as you did, but I started PT at 4 weeks. I knew for sure that they were experienced with this! If you feel like they just arn't with it, delcine and seek a different PT clinic. ginnie

Depending on your diagnosis and specific case, some surgeons don't recommend pt. sounds like you need to find a therapist who is experienced and can get permission for you to speak to other TOS patients he/she has worked with. In the wrong therapist hands, you could cause more harm than good! Expect and get the best therapist, you deserve it!

Thank you all so much. I found out at my appointment my doctor generally refers his patients to their clinic in a sister city. I was a bit disappointed by this, and not really sure why he chose this office, other than we did discuss this city being closer. So far it's manual therapy and will begin dry needling for the referred pain. It is too soon for me to know if this is a good fit or not, but I will wait and see. Thank you all for your replies and great suggestions.

November 25th made two months since my surgery. I couldn't afford to fly back to St. Louis for follow up or PT visit. So tried calling PT clinic whom told me anything they could do for me just call, hasn't returned my call. So I am still doing stretches given to me after surgery and to do when I got home. Would love to go to PT don't want a followup surgery in the future. The one in my 20's and this one are quite enough for me.

I will be having my third surgery on Mach 15. I am hoping you can share as much with me as possible. I too will be traveling to St Louis. My scalene has regrown. It is unclear how much I have, if I have the middle or anterior or both - however he will remove any scalene muscle I have. He will also cut my pec minor. My nerves are currently NOT happy and it is unknown where they are and how trapped they are in scar tissue, but he will find them and make them safe [I pray]. Lastly, It is unclear how much of my rib is remaining. It appears I had a clean removal, however there is a cartilage area that may be remaining and trapping my subclavian artery and vein - he will remove any remaining first rib and the cartilage, releasing the artery and vein. If you are willing - please email me. I have never spoken to anyone with TOS before not to mention someone who also had there rib removed in their 20's as I did. Your symptoms prior to your second surgery matched mine so closely. I know the road to recovery is long and I just want to learn as much as I can. ***

I hope Dr. Thompson is able to help you. Can you please tell us who did your first two surgeries? Where are the scars from surgery and how many years ago were the surgeries? Thanks