Hello, and question about TrPts and myofascial pain after surgery
 

Hi,

tl;dr If you wish to skip my introduction, I do have a question: After surgery, do TOS folks with chronic myofacial pain and trigger points still continue to to get myofscial pain and trigger points after other TOS symptoms have resolved?

Introduction: I'm a 38 yo man, and have bilateral TOS due to an accessory medial scalene -- yep an extra scalene running in between the medial and the anterior scalene, between the subclavian artery and the vein. So I had the whole shebang: vascular, neurogenic, etc.

I had my left side decompression / scalenectomy done 10/26, and the right side on 12/1. I'm recovering well, and am happily just taking Motrin at the moment and doing mindfulness meditation for pain. Immediately after the surgery I could feel a difference in both arms -- I never knew I had lost so much sensation, or that I would get this much back!

I also can lift my arms without them throbbing and turning blue, so regardless of any pain that remains, it was totally worth it.

Before I see my doctor tomorrow, I'd like to know if people who had trigger points, spasms, and myofascial pain associated with their TOS got some relief from decompression. I'm relieved to think I won't get the scalene trigger points now, but I am getting the familiar back, back of head, tricep, etc trigger points.

Should I plan with my doctor and PT to continue treating this myofascial pain as ongoing for some time? I would assume that it takes time to resolve the constellation of chronic pain and disabilities that accompany TOS even after the decompression surgery has been successful.

Still, even with my evil levator muscle trigger point stabbing me in the back like an ice-pick, I feel sooooooooo much better overall.

I would like to know peoples' experiences with this, as I want to plan my time-off (and disability paperwork) to give me the time I need to do all of the things that are good for me (PT, yoga, acupuncture, paying with my dogs, exercise, stress reduction) and will reduce pain going forward.

I know that jumping back into stress and hectic life immediately is NOT the way to go, but of course, that's what my employer seems to expect. Regardless, I'd like to know what others have encountered in their journeys, and if I should keep planning for the long path...

Lorin

[ I would assume that it takes time to resolve the constellation of chronic pain and disabilities that accompany TOS even after the decompression surgery has been successful. ]

Correct!! muscle memory and possible long term posture issues , will need to be addressed.. IMO...

Was surgery this year or last year?

It can take a lot of time to fully recover so much internal tissue was moved around and stretched during surgery most likely...
Gentle ROM /stretching , posture alignment, overall movement are all good things to do..

I used to get the ice pick pain if I allowed my shoulders roll forward too much..

check out the sticky threads/saved info and use the site search for specific topics

Thank you. I've learned to view my long journey through TOS, and a changing body with both comfortable and uncomfortable sensations as just that, a journey. As I have now decided to step down from my job, apply for disability insurance, and prepare for the next chapter it's helpful to hear advice from other TOS folks.

I have found that I needed to make ample time for healing, even before the official diagnosis was confirmed. I've found that, if I remain active in PT, Spoonie Yoga, Walks, Volunteering, Hobbies, etc I feel greater relief. For so long, it was just difficult to commit to making time for these things, even though they are often hard to do when my body barely creaks out of bed in the morning.

Prior to surgery in October, I was unable to drop my shoulders to neutral, as my scalenes had tightened and rolled my body forward, damaging and straining the muscles of my upper back. I was unable to turn or tilt my head in addition to the many other symptoms of TOS. Now I can tilt my head to the right -- it's a small thing, but feels so good.

Anyway, I discussed all of this with my Dr, and he is in agreement. He also administered some much needed trigger point injections and refilled my muscle relaxant Rx.

It is hard to keep expectations in line with the real pace and progression of healing.

Thanks