I have had both my 1st ribs removed. My R is good and blood clot free. My L arm didn't open. I have lots of collateral blood flow. I have had lots of scar tissue build up and my L arm is always swollen compared to my R. Every doctor has blown me off. I have burning in my had and shoulder and I had a physiatrists tell me I am fine while I had burning and tingling in my hand. What options do I have. Most surgeons I have talk to have told me to live with it.

Did you have full scalenectomies along with your rib resections? If not, you may benefit from additional surgery to fully remove the scalenes and clean up scarring/adhesions. If you are having trouble finding a surgeon who thinks he can help let us know where you are located and maybe we can make some recommendations.

I have heard that Charles Brantigan in Denver welcomes cases that other surgeons have given up on. He is also setup to treat out-of-towners.

Dr. Charles Brantigan - www.drbrantigan.com

Hello,

I had both scalenes removed. The vasculature surgeon I saw at the VA in Portland told me my only option is an internal jugular turn down. I was evaluated by a neurologist at my school today and I have diminished sensation from my radial nerve to my triceps area as well as some major atrophy of my deltoid.

I live about an hr and half south of portland. The problem is that I get health care through the VA because I am a student and I pretty sure if I try to get my own insurance it will not be covered.

Sometimes there are ways to work around the system.

I believe Dr Brantigan, & Dr Annest also, both in Colorado, will review your testing & files to see if they think they can be of help.
The best way to start if you are interested in that is call their offices or send a contact email to them.

If there isn't a successful & qualified surgeon in the area or VA that is able or willing to help you , there should be ways to request a specialized and well known surgeon. (and get it paid for by VA)
It might take some work finding the ways to go about this but could really pay off.

A few on the other forums here also, contacted their senators & congress persons when they couldn't get certain kinds of help or care.

Perhaps those drs offices have helped others in this situation before.. so they might know how to go about requesting... can't hurt to ask, right?

Marc posted Brantigan's website already so I'll just add Dr Annest's site here-
http://vascularinstitute.com/physiciansandstaff.htm