Just want to add that this post is not meant to separate any one surgeon from the other....just a comment on how *some* doctors view rib resection vs scalenectomy.

I absolutely do not mean to support or not support specific people or proceudres. I am just out here trying to decide which procedure to have myself and offering up information I found to be useful.

I wonder about the results with rib resection & scalenotomy verses the rib resection & scalenectomy.
With the scalenotomy, I hear they do not cut out the scalenes, just divide them. Leaving them to atrophy.
I am not sure which procedure each Doc prefers. They all seem to have their own opinions.

Thats the issue I have with ALL the surgeons
They all seem to have a different approach and not really focusing on the individual.
Neurologists also different ideas an some have no clue
And not one person here is perfected after any of the surgeries [erformed
Just some relief with a lifetime of continued therapy, pain meds, massages , pain management and life time of physical and emotional changes not able to work fully again.
However, why would they be here on the forum if they have been completely healed, right?

Let me just say Dr. David Agnew IS worth a trip to Santa Barbara (then again Santa Barbara is worth a trip to Santa Barbara). He is great. Patient and very Thorough! He explains things so you can understand. I was examined, prodded and tested for over 2 hours. He referred me to Dr. Collins at UCLA for the MRI/MRV/MRA and that confirmed the diagnosis. With PT and my own intuitio about how to help myself, it's been slow but I am progressing. No surgery, no pain meds (other than advil from time to time). Maybe I'm just lucky it's not worse.