Post-Op question
 

Quick question for all of you who've had a first rib resection.

I know it's still very early in my recovery, but I've been doing really well. The pain I've had is of a different quality and has been moving so I know that things are shifting and healing and doing what they're supposed to. My surgery was one day shy of 2 weeks ago.

That being said, one thing that has been consistent since coming out of surgery is my left pec minor is extremely tight and very, very tender. I had felt as though I was being poked with a broomstick before surgery and asked about pec minor syndrome to avoid having to go in for an additional surgery in the future but was promptly brushed off as it is "a completely separate problem from TOS."

Anyway, what I'd like to know is if this is common post-op and I should just ride it through, or if I'm going to have to go down the road of searching for someone to evaluate me for pec minor syndrome. Obviously I'd rather not have another surgery, but right now I've got the support and help of my family. In 9 months, we'll be moving out and I'll no longer have this help. This is the absolute best time for me to have any surgeries that I may need and I don't want to drag this out forever. Advice?

I've noticed that some people who get surgery here have the rib resection and pec minor done at the same time. Dr. Donahue says that he performs it as a second surgery if necessary, but from what I understand it is a comparatively minor surgery. Given that many of us don't start to feel better until at least 3 months, my advice would be to give it much more time given that a pec-minor surgery (if necessary) is relatively minor to my understanding.

Give it time. You just had major surgery and there was a lot of digging around the muscles. I know that I had to learn patience, but time is what heals. I am 16 months out of two surgeries on my left side and am finally seeing results, but don't look at my case because I also have MS and had a MS flare which causes tight muscles on me. Just be patient and find a good PT to work with that understands TOS.

I had this issue post op (my surgeries were through the armpit) and it improved over time and with physical therapy.