Neurogenic TOS doesn't appear on an EMG
 

Hi,
I’m an architect, and due to my work I have to spend 8h using a mouse. Lately I can’t use it because my hand gets rigid and I have a lot of pain (That comes from my shoulder).
I’ve done all the tests (EMG, ecodoppler and a radio) and they’re all negative.
My doctor still thinks it’s a neurological TOS but I’m quite confused. Can a nerve be compressed at this area without being seen on a EMG ?
If it's really the case, what can I use (botox or lyrica) to be able to work again while I start my physiotherapy treatment.
I’m quite in despair because I’ll probably will get fired from my work since I can’t get anything done with the mouse.
Any kind of help will be appreciated

MRI & x rays?? Just to make sure no bone or anomaly are a factor?
Most Drs prefer a clear cut problem to see on scans, blood work or EMG testing..., they rarely do hands on assessment anymore, that is for the ones that study anatomy /structures.

PT? Chiro ? evaluations/assessments? - experts/knowledgeable are best, above the standard practitioners..

I've had and X-ray and an ecodoppler. The're no bone anomalies.
In any case, is it normal to have NTOS and to have normal EMG results? This is whats troubling me...

Thanks a lot :)

Yes, it can and that's why early or maybe fixable versions of pre -TOS is hard to dx.

Explore our TOS sticky threads, search our site for trigger points, spasmed muscles, posture, forward head.. lot of stuff you can work on your own home/self care pt plan while waiting on Drs & PT evaluations..

I will say a very good chiro, that also does PT modalities can do a lot much faster than months of standard PT.. low level laser(aka cold/soft laser) IFc stim, ultrasound .. all worked great for me .. and top rib mobilizations..

Yes Botox or blocks injections may work if the muscles are the main issues. search for posts on all those topics to find them faster....
https://www.neurotalk.org/search.php

I think it helps to jot down a list, starting with your worst symptoms and adding anything that has changed or is new.. keep it simple , maybe sharing it with your care providers might help them see the whole picture..
I is so easy to forget some things during Drs office.. and they never get everything in the notes.. and mistakes happen too.

Thanks a lot for your reply. It’s quite helpful in these confusing times in which I can lose my job.

I’m actually scared of having a Distonia, because both my arms and my hand they get stiff and contracted. My hand wants to remain closed and I have a lot of pain in on my shoulde and back. It’s like I can’t relax my muscles.

A doctor said it’s not it cause I don’t get the syntomes only when I use the mouse (it happens when I use my mobile, when I write, when I bend my elbow) I don’t have involuntary movements and also because I’ve numbness in my hand when I raise my hand above my shoulder.

The bottom line is, I want to start a treatment that fits my case, but nowadays I’m not sure if it’s a tos or a dystonia, and a dystonia scares me a lot.

I also had a normal EMG and was told it is common for that to happen.

I had an inconclusive EMG after the test was ran twice. I was then evaluated by Chiropracter a week later and diagnosed with TOS.