TOS and CRPS/RSD relation
 

Hi guys,
While doing research on my ntos and CT junction injury I came to know about stallete (cervicothoracic) ganglion nerves ( part of sympethetic nervous system) and i think my facial pain might be the cause of this cervicothoracic ganglion injury or lrritation since this ganglion is close to CT junction anterior to first rib head and C7 spinous process.The muscle twitching in legs, facial pain and lack of blood to hands(which in turn causes RSI) is all caused by this ganglion issues and this is also the main cause of CRPS.
Apart from subclavican artery compression, this ganglion injury is also a major cause of vascular deficiency to hands.
Do you think we being tos patients are more suspectiable to have CRPS in near future?
Experts please help me in understanding more on this.

regards
Ramdas

A few of the long-time members many years ago did get RSD/CRPS, sometimes after surgery.
Fibromyalgia was mentioned as a co condition often in the past for both RSD & TOS..

TOS, CRPS, fibro are catch all terms used by doctors interchangeably often as the symptoms overlap.

Hi Ramdas, in terms of risk profile I would have to answer yes. I have all of the above sx. I gradually developed TOS due to an undiagnosed extra cervical vertabra then had traumatic onset of CRPS due to an injury to brachial plexus nerve on left. Later had to have surgery on right because of further compromised bloodsupply and had some spread of crps. Anatomy of TOS means your brachial plexus is very vulnerable to cumulative compression damage either from scalenes/rib or trauma. Surgery needs to be done by very skilled surgeon. It is so hard too find experts in Aus. Good luck Booklover

Symptoms do overlap, but there are differences - A good dr will know the differences.

If a dr does use the terms interchangeably as a diagnosis , I'd run, as they are different conditions , and if they don't recognise the differences they won't be able to help you.
First visit it would be normal to say it might be fibro, CRPS, or TOS....but then testing and deeper look into hx, & sx should narrow it down, unless you have a mix of them.

Well if the symptom differentiation was straightforward, I suspect Drs would take a stand. In reality i suspect most of us with TOS present with a bewildering mixture of postural issues, muscle imbalances, trauma to the shoulder, cervical areas, that only the most comprehensive Dr or medical system will patiently examine each and everyone and exclude. Most will just do some stuff and then give up and use CRPS, Fibro and TOS. Plus folks dont talk to one another. A rheumatalogist recently noted many Fibro patients are in reality those with undiagnosed neck trauma.

Worst is all three conditions coexist or are suspected to.. very hard to differentiate what is what in that case.

I wonder which Hospitals or Drs do this sort of comprehensive workup.. might be worth marking them out.. above and beyond the TOS list.

Indian doctors are waste of time and money.Last week I have visited neurosurgeon, neurologist and spine specialist. No one understand much , I was not given enough time to explain .Neurologist was freaked up by my knowledge about my condition and his assistant said stop reading on internet. I lost my patience and replied if wouldn't have read about my condition I could have done 2 surgeries for cubital tunnel which were advised to me.
I clearly told him doctors don't update themself and that's why we need to read.
Neurologist said the supraclavicular swelling I have is fat and is normal but I know its not and causing me multiple crush syndrome. Finally he ordered nerve conduction which I am thinking not to do because it will not prove any thing.
No one was having answer to why I am getting muscle twitching, nerve jumping, eye floaters, facial pain, cold feet and pain near CT junction. And their assistant doctors were literally seems illiterate and going to become future doctors .

I hope more patients like you give it back to pompous specialists who can neither diagnose nor empathize with their patients.

Many of these assistant Drs are to play up the ego of their boss and shine in his reflected glory. When I had a fracture one of these morons told me to get up and be "normal". His senior luckily saw me later and said i needed a weeks bed rest. And of course when somebody well connected came in later, he got royal treatment and was singing praises to me about the duo.