Just as I suspected all along
 

I never needed carpel tunnel or cubital tunnel surgeries! University doc was honest! Professionalism at it's best. No need to pass the buck, pretend he's smarter that he is, cover for his friends, just calling it the way he sees it.

Referred me to NYC for PT now...no one around here he knows can do TOS PT.

He'd like twice a week but between the train ride, the cab ride to the appt (and lunch I hope) and back along with my copay....hmmm there goes my clothing fund. Oh yeah and missing a day of work, but that's always a positive! I can only afford once if that

Now the battle begins with W/C .... I've got my fighting gear on. :)

Withmore,
Did you open the claim against w/c for the other two surgeries? Even if they closed it after they did the surgeries, it will be an extension of that claim...It will not likely be without difficulties as they will not want to pay. But, you sound like you are prepared to take them on.

If you are working and your job is repetative, you maybe opening a claim, I would encourage you to consult an attorney.

THe unneeded surgery is typical in misdiagx TOS victims. BUT, sometimes it does help. THe nerve starts at the top of the cervical spine, C/5/6/7/8 & T/1.

It travels as one long cell from the spine across the trapizius, down the arm and into the hand. Everywhere there is a hinge along the way is a compression site, AN inflamed nerve being bent at the elbow, bent at the wrist, can incite pain.

Double crush or triple crush syndrome.

Your story and experiance is all too familar, and sad. EMG's are NOT always definative in diagx TOS. Most often NOT. The small sensory nerves first affected can not be tested. The later affected larger nerves are tested in EMG's. The larger nerves make the muscle move.

If a flame of a candle is near your hand, the larger nerves respond to tell your arm to jerk back. BUT, if you were burnt and the pain and red inflamations is throbbing and hurts, they are the smaller sensory nerves and not able to be tested by EMG.

On the Forum there is a medical published article from TomTolson that did my EMG/NVC test. He does write on using EMG/NVC test to diagx TOS and how to use the readings..very medical talk. But, good for attorneys and medical persons to reference.

I gave most of this information that you may know already from your research, but for others searching about CT surgeries, and other RSI surgeries.

Excellant thread and thoughts for many diagx with CT and other syndroms.
Surgeons should know of crush syndroms. From a detailed history they should know the odds of the proposed surgery resolving the issues, even if the EMG states carpal or cubital tunnel. Follow the symptoms, test all the way up to the shlouder with reproducing the symptoms.

If you press the elbow and the pain goes to the hand one diagx, but if you then press in the brachial plexus and have pain to the elbow or hand this is something else. The injury or compression is not local and must be ruled in or out prior to surgery. If suspected the higher area is involved through invormed concent; which must be done, the surgeon should disclose that the surgery may help but that it is suspected to be generated from a higher site,

Then the patient can decide to have the surgery that may or may not help, or pursue to more information.

I hope things go smoothly with your workers comp claim, the stress does not help. If you don't have an attorney I would consult one.

Know you have all our support and we will put our boxing gloves on for your too.
In the mean time, try to support your arms, have a chair at work level with your work site. I use biofreeze to help with some achs and pains, lidoderm patches, Using a tennis ball between the wall and shoulders to rub out knots too. IF these are your pain triggers.

Be well,
Di

DI
 

Refresh double, triple crush...

What if I have BOTH symptoms of pressing on the brachial plexus and the elbow?
I know, I know...I'm a mess.
Have to do a search on the EMG article.

Very informative info, mydear! THANX!!!

may be multiple nerves
 

like me. Brachial plexus, median,radial ulnar and carpal tunnel all injured in one arm.

My comp cases are still open, 2000 and 2004. Atty wanted to close them early this year ands I said NO! Problem was the neurologist who decided that a bulge was an herniated disc (2005)and said that althought I am disabled and should no longer practice dental hygiene he can not determine when the "herniation" came about and therefore cannot relate it to my work. This was before I had ever heard of TOS and was going with it because he's the DOC.

He reminds me of one of those IME 's you all talk about, trying to make it difficult for me. He asked about the comp case and I told him it was closed and he said and I quote "so you didn't get rich off it?" I had to follow up with him though recently and I did tape the visit legal or not, flattered him the entire time and then came out with it...So the disc is what causes the weakness in my hands? He said Yes but would never say it before. Then he stumbled on his words and said well, it's an overlapping problem with the carpel tunnel....He's the one who did the normal EMG and the one who saw me two months after I was considered Bionic according to the hand surgeon. Went for a 5 arm 5 elbow MMI to a 2 arm and 2 elbow????? But I was and again I quote "Better than ever". I will never regain the strenght in my hand due to the surgeries and have lost alot of muscle from my thumb.

The new doc could fit almost all his fingers behind my shoulder blade. never knew how weak they were, the normal reaction is for your muscles to drop down and not be an area of penetration. Freaky, never heard that before.

Di,

Do you have a link to the Tom Tolson research study on EMG/NCS? I did a search for his name but couldn't find anything other than this thread. Thanks much!

Melissa

Here is the post Melissa,
Di
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=22863
‘‘EMG’’ for thoracic outlet syndrome

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with double crush syndrome. I went on to have bi-lateral carpal tunnel releases. Almost a year later and another emg I was told there is 30% improvement after surgeries. The pressure at my wrists is much better. It didn't cure all, but honestly it did help some.