I just read this thread 'cover to cover'. I am new to this group, and frankly scared to death to have surgery. My doc is Dr. Kaelin here in FL. He seems very knowledgable. Takes a lot of time to explain the procedure. My symptoms started 3 years ago, r side. After having every test (told several times it was all in my head) and having the group at Shands say I needed ulnar nerve surgery (pt guys said it was TOS), I finally have the right diagnosis and cause. Please forgive my 'dumbing' down of the exact names (I can't remember which is what).
Mine is caused by a defect I was born with. There is a 2-3" bone that grew off of C7 that is over an inch in height causing the issue. I asked about the L side and I have same there BUT, b/c I have broken my L collarbone 4 times (horses), the bone bows out and there is no compression. Doc needs to go in and cut bone out Here is my stupid ???: What about breaking right collarbone and resetting so it does not cause compression? I am not in the medical field, so a lot of this is Greek to me.
It sounds like a lot of you have good experience with the surgery, I just want to know what to expect. I am scheduled for Sept. thoughts? Thank you in advance for being kind to this newbie

Hi friends ,

I just wanted to give you all a quick update, gotta keep it short for now. Surgery went well, everything was removed: first rib, Extra rib (finally), and a brachial plexus neuroplasty. Dr. D said I had A LOT of scar tissue he removed, some attaching from my middle scalene muscle or what was left of it, to my extra or first rib (cant recall right now sorry drugged up lol). He also called me Monday before I came here to see how I was feeling and also to thoroughly review my CAT Scan results showing narrowing of my subclavian artery on both my right and left sides. Anyway, I am doing ok for now I had a real hard time sleeping last night from the excruciating pain where my ribs where and also due to my long thoracic nerve injury from before. Dr.D still says it will take me 12 to 18 months to recover being that it is a redo but he pleased with the outcome so far (although it's pretty early to tell). Most of my pain is surgical at the moment.


Oh yeah, and I need to mention how pleased and impressed I am with not just Dr. D but his entire team of staff, they are all WONDERFUL and so very caring!

Hi! I promise to get back to you soon, just got out of surgery less than a day ago. Dont worry too much, talk soon

Awesome, Parbie. Good luck in your recovery! Keep us posted. Take Care-JKL

FINALLY! so happy for you and with such an awesome doc. Everything I hear about Dr D just keeps getting better

So I am not doing well on the meds I'm on now I think it's due to my high tolerance. I have been given norco, dilotto, tylenol, neurontin, cymbalta, lidoderm patch (dilotto and toradol at night are the only new meds post op and they both help but only a bit). The pain is unbearable but I am desperately seeking any suggestions for meds that have helped others post rib resection?

ColoredHares,

I, too, had congenital defects involving both 1st ribs. One side was operated on > 9 years ago for a large bony growth that was protruding upward putting pressure on the nerves. The size sounds similar to yours. I am happy with the outcome. Back then, they said I might need to address the other side at some point (asymptomatic at that time) but they said to wait to see if I became symptomatic.

Parbie, I hope you feel better soon..... Please share what combo works when you find it. That is a big concern here in FL. Surgeons are only permitted to prescribe pain meds for 3 days post op. (new law as of Jan 1). have to enroll in a pain management program after that. This is one of the reasons I have post phoned surgery until Sept.

Percocet/Oxycodone should be the next thing to try when Norco/Vicodin/Hydrocodone are not effective. I am tolerant to Hydrocodone now but the Oxycodone works well for me.

Sure hope you find something to take the edge off. A TOS friend highly recommends methadone for the pain and nerve pain. Canada will prescribe Meth but not Lidoderm patches...go figure. Others swear by medicinal HTC. My system doesnt tolerate meds well and really nothing touches the pain

I remember when I had my bilateral decompression the surgeon sent me home with nothing. I didnt know any better. Post op I was fine till I got home. Thought my body was going to explode.