I ask because my cousin just had a surgical procedure done at Duke University and every doctor she talked to said there has never been "this" surgery done!! My cousin had lost all feeling in her arm/hand, with pain in her neck and shoulder area. Had PT, injections etc. Goes to like 5 or 6 doctors who say "NO way, do not have an operation for this ever, just suck it up and live with a limp arm and pain." Even the Mayo Clinic tells her not to do it. So she ends up back at Duke, where they saw out a rib and put it somewhere at the collarbone area??? I am sure I am missing a whole lot of this procedure. This was over a month ago and she is just now starting to feel something in her arm again...

So if someone could please explain this procedure a bit more to me, I would so appreciate it!!

Usually the surgery for TOS is called a rib resection and sometimes a scalenectomy is done at the same time.

[What kind of surgery and how is it done?

The goal of surgery is to clearly identify and correct the cause of the compression, which can be an abnormality of the tendons, the scalene muscles or the bones that make up the thoracic outlet (the first rib or clavicle). There are 2 basic operations for thoracic outlet syndrome, usually referred to as: rib resection or scalenectomy. The scalenectomy operation is designed to remove the scalene muscles that may cause some of the compression on the brachial plexus nerves. It involves an incision just above the clavicle (collarbone). The operation takes about 1-2 hours. Most patients may be discharged the following day.

The fib resection is a more involved operation. It is designed to relieve compression caused by the first rib or other structures, at the same time it requires a partial scalenectomy. It may be done through an incision above the clavicle or an incision under the arm (the axilla). It has the advantage of being more complete operation. This operation takes between 1 V2 and 2 V2 hours. Most patients will be discharged the following day.

The choice of operation is based on several factors; the clinical symptoms, the anatomical information provided by the examination and other tests, such as the x-rays and MRI. It is also important to take into account previous treatments or operations. Generally both types of operations can relieve the symptoms, although the experience of our surgeons indicates that the rib resection type of operation, being a more complete procedure, is more likely to offer longer lasting benefit. ]
more-
http://www.surgery.ucla.edu/vascular...Syndrome.shtml

Some videos for more info too-
http://www.google.com/search?q=thora...w=1360&bih=668


I hope she recovers well.

Thank you very much!!! I will look into that! I too hope she recovers well.

Best wishes to her, I know how unpleasant this surgery is.
Tell her NO HEAVY LIFTING and to do gentle stretching exercises daily to prevent the muscles and scar tissue from tightening up!!!!!
When the scars have sealed, give them a very gentle massage twice daily with Aloe Vera gel or Bio oil to help keep the skin supple, very good in aiding repair