How does it feel after the scalenes are removed? is your range of motion the same?

Were you in alot of pain after surgery? How long did it take before you could return to work and ect?

Do you think the surgery made your worse ? Did it make your better at all ?

I'm sure you're right.

And it seems from some of the studies you posted that the better shape you're in prior to surgery the better the potential results.

In my case, it may be better if it's a black and white situation where the subclavian artery is so blocked I have to have surgery. In other words, I don't have a choice. If the results from the recent tests are murky, that could have me trying to have my cake and eat it...that is, continuing to work out, trying to do PT at the same time, and achieving neither goal.

Will find out in a couple weeks where I land.

I must say that some of the studies point to a large percentage of good to excellent results. Finding the most qualified surgeon I'm sure would up the results as well. And from what I'm reading, Dr Donaghue at MGH in Boston falls into that category.

Also, reading about Hank Blaylock it's encouraging that he attempted to make a full comeback to MLB after TOS surgery. It failed, but that could be due to other factors.

KY

KY

Hi hellothere, the positive thing about the surgery is my hand used to swell really bad and turn purple, now it does swell a little sometimes, but not nearly as bad. So it did help with that.

The bad part is the pain in my neck and shoulders is much worse. On the surgical side most of the pain is in the upper back and scapula area. It's been that way for 20 years now and I haven't been able to work since. It has improved in the last year with a good stretching program, but there is still some pain there.

As far as range of motion, the arm on the surgical side goes overhead a little bit easier. On the nonsurgical side, I can feel more pulling in my neck when I reach overhead. Also, my neck is still pretty tight and it's painful to turn my head very much, especially towards the surgery side.



The surgery was pretty rough and painful afterwards. I never really fully recovered from it.

I'm hoping more people respond to this thread. It would be interesting to see how others are doing, good or bad.

Jomar, I'm impressed that you are able to do so much. It gives me more motivation.

I had surgery 6 and 1/2 years ago. I was reasonably fit, very motivated, committed to post-surgery PT and I had horrible results. I also had a skilled, experienced surgeon in SF. I was never able to return to working as an attorney, or anything else. I am much worse than I was prior to surgery.

If you are improving with PT, I would see how much better you can get with that. And I would do a gut check about how hard you train, and your expectations for yourself. It's better to be realistic and be able to maintain an active lifestyle, than to try to live up to some prior notion of fitness and end up not being able to do anything.

If you can improve with PT and some lifestyle changes, that's great. Obviously, if you've got an urgent vascular problem, then you won't have much choice. But just go in with your eyes wide open. Too often, people assume that the unsuccessful surgery results are because of poor attitude, malingering, etc. Unfortunately, anyone can be on the wrong side of surgery numbers.

Best of luck in your decision.

Kelly

Kelly,

What was your specific situation? What did the surgery entail?

I'd also be curious to know what your current situation is, what's your pain level, what do you do to manage, and what can/can't you do now vs. six years ago.

Thanks for the reply.

KY

I had TOS for 2 and 1/2 years before I had surgery. I tried every conservative treatment before deciding to have surgery. I had mostly neurogenic but also some vascular involvement. I had a scalenectomy and 1st rib resection on the left side.

I have developed migraines since surgery, usually with 3-5 per month. My pain levels are much higher and I take a lot more medication than I did before surgery. A lot more.

I can't work, swim, drive except occasionally and very short distances, clean my own house, shop, or cook except very occasionally. In short, my life has become extremely limited.

Before this, I had a career, a very active life, played softball, enjoyed road trips. I've always been happier being outside than in, active rather than inactive.

I hope this helps.

It seems to me that the first rib removal surgery has alot failures then succeses? So why is it such a popular treatment method for TOS

Has anyone actually had good results from the first rib resection.

I beilieve that when it comes to TOS each case is unique it what is casuing the symtpoms, so one universal ,method of surgery should not be used for all cases.

After reading all this i dont think i would ever get a forst rib resection unless i had a blod clot and i was forced to .

There is so much more that can be done before removing that rib . Why are surgeons so quick to just use that method as a first approach ?

Kelly, what were your symptoms prior to the surgery? Did you get any disabling symptoms ? Did you have any boney abornormalities?

Did you always have a little mingling problem or did it just seem to occur all of a sudden?

My symptoms came on gradually -- starting with aching hands, then shoulders, neck, scapula, forearms, arm pits, burning in wrists, elbows and left chest, chronic headaches which became migraines following surgery.

My symptoms became disabling over time. By surgery (2 1/2 years after symptoms started) I was unable to do much of anything. I haven't been able to work since 2003. My symptoms have worsened and I take a lot more medication than I did prior to surgery. I'm also much more limited in my daily activities.

I don't have bony irregularities. I had 3D MRI/MRA and other tests that showed nerve compression and some vascular involvement.

I hope that answers some of your questions.