N-TOS post Op recovery questions
 

Hi All, I'm a 28 yr old female recently diagnosed with NTOS following a couple of years of physical therapy and some intensive rehab courses (I'm military). After an MRI, Doppler, X-ray and nerve damage testing I was diagnosed. Not sure of the technical terms but I loose any pulse to my L arm if raised and have left hand atrophy. Scans showed disc bulges and something on the left x-ray (surgeon thinks either fibrous band or boney fragment) Symptoms came on gradually starting with neck/shoulder ache to where I am now; loosing grip and control, numb pain, tingling in the hand and sharp pains when moving neck. I'm unable to lift or carry weight on this side. No symptoms on the right.

As I have had a lot of very good physical therapy it looks like surgery is the way to go, especially if I want to try and continue a military career.

I was wondering if anyone has experience of returning to weight bearing/sport after surgery? I would be hoping to be able to carry a 35lb Bergen.

Any advice is appreciated.

Welcome Cole008. :Tip-Hat:

Hi,
Sometimes with TOS the intensive rehab stuff will make it worse..
Delayed pain, trigger points , spasmed muscles.. it's hard to find your threshold with activities that won't set off a flare.
And with NTOS it is even harder because the nerve itself is triggering a lot of the pain/sx too.

Can you choose the surgeon yourself or is that a limitation with mil?
For the best result with surgery, an expert TOS surgeon is a must..
NTOS can be a tricky thing, some recover to normal and some may have lingering sx.

Many pro athletes go to Dr Pearl in TX, Dr Donohue in Mass is very good, but there are others listed in our sticky thread..that might be available and closer for you.
Many will require their own testing & diagnosis - just to be sure of the severity...
But if your hand is showing atrophy that is pretty clear indication of something..

I'm guessing a bergen is gun or something LOL??

For long term health I'd suggest aiming for a career adjustment to get a less heavy/activity role...
Aches & pains only gets worse with age...:(


There is a small % of normal persons that do lose pulse when arms raised, but do not have or get TOS - so that alone is not proof of TOS, but when someone has many other sx then it points to it more..

If you've even had some hits/falls, MVA..???
perhaps some expert chiropractic , just to make sure all is in alignment?

DC's can adjust any joint , not limited to spine.. but find a very skilled one that uses multiple modalities for best results..

How is your upper body posture?
If head /shoulders are forward of the body that can crowd the area even more.
Also the overly exaggerated extreme military attention posture.. can be as bad by compressing the other direction..

Did any of your PTs do trigger point work?
top rib mobilizations?
posture awareness work - like Alexander technique
did they push you forward thru pain?
or adjust to what you could tolerate before moving forward?

The best PT & self care for TOS is baby steps - no going forward until there is no pain increase that day or the next day..

Rushing this will only set you back, and working while trying to heal will not get you ahead of the game either..
I did not gain anything from PT until off work , the little help it gave me was negated by working..

It is hard to say if you will be able to return to such a physically demanding job. Many haven't. I know it's depressing but I would start thinking about a plan B career wise. You will have a weight restriction for a good while after the surgery and if the outcome is good, I would not risk reversing it by doing a physically demanding job. Maybe a more administrative role in the military if that is an option? I am a dental assistant and will never return to that but I should be able to do front office once I recover. I just had two first rib resections.

I took up rock climbing 6months after my first rib resection, just had the other side done and intend to go back to climbing as soon as I can. It shouldn't stop you're life. Take things steady I say