I had my second 1st rib resection surgery May 2 for VTOS. The first surgery was a much easier recovery. Since the second surgery there has been a bulge at the base of my neck- just above clavicle. I've been told this "could be" scar tissue from the surgery. It's very hard and feels as if it's poking through my neck. Sometimes the swelling and inflammation is so bad it is difficult to swallow. Has anyone else had this reaction or complication? I'm not sure how long you wait before getting very concerned...thanks.

Hi, I would keep tabs on it for sure, has the dr checked it yet at all?
I would definitely have it checked out.

Is it hot, or red/discolored?
Is it sensitive or tender to the touch?

Have you tried heat or massage to see if that makes any change?

How large is it?
I don't think scar tissue would get that large so soon, unless it is keloid??, it makes me wonder if it is infection or swollen lymph nodes, they can get clogged up/blocked.

Doesn't sound right whatever it is. I would get it checked out just to be sure.

Heat and ice both help depending on what feels better. It's hard to say size- I think things always feel bigger than they are...but maybe .25-.50 inch or so. I keep feeling like I'm getting much better and then I'll have a flare up. I had one last night and it was worse than the first. It was difficult to swallow and hard to chew- due to this pain and swelling at base of neck. There were also stabbing pains in my throat. I didn't think this sounded normal, so thought this was the best place to check...with others who understand and have experienced TOS. I will review again with my surgeon Monday. Thanks very much for the help and quick responses.

Is the size you mention how tall it is , or how big around it is?
Is any of it raising the skin up, or do you feel it under the skin only with palpation?

Others mentioned lumps in the past but it was usually on the outer edge of the collarbone/shoulder junction, and it was soft & pliable , not hard.

It just doesn't sound like anything I've read about on TOS forums- since 04.
Perhaps ER or Urgent care when it is flaring up.. if it is very firm/hard maybe a x ray is needed?

It's how tall it feels. The skin is raised or pushed outward slightly. The right aide of my throat is swollen some too. I have to see my surgeon Monday so I am going to ask him what we can do. Xray maybe necessary. Unless it gets worse before and then I will go to an urgent care. Thanks again

My surgeon believes I'm suffering from musculoskeletal pain. I've gone back on Celebrex and Valium. I have a follow up in one week, but hope these help some. I was getting excruciating headaches along with the pain going up my neck.
Jo*mar- have you tried Intelliskin? I saw a post n that and wondered if it really helped. I've also been using Icy/Hot today on my neck and chest per DR. He said something like (this is not exact) it would distract the pain messages going to the brain. It has seemed to help.

No I haven't tried the Intelliskin, but I think nospam and a few others have & use the posture shirts/vests.

I use IF stim, far-infrared heating pad, foam roller, stretches & inflatable exercise ball for my therapeutic tools. My version of TOS is mostly myofascial now, unless holding my arms up /out for very long.

Laur3d, I use the intellskin. It does help me. I will wear it up to 8hrs a day. It has provided some relief for me.

Laur, do you participate in physical therapy? It sounds like this could be scar tissue or just a major trigger point. Or, it could even be that your scalenes have reattached somewhere after being clipped (this happens in 10-20% of rib resections without full scalenectomy). You may need a full scalenectomy and neurolysis to clean up scarring/adhesions if your problems persist.

If the nerves are being impinged, it can result in pain going up the neck and headaches (it does with me). However, the throat thing is nothing I've experienced or heard of.

Valium helps me with the headaches. You may also ask your Doctor about a 3-5 day course of Toradol (in place of the Celebrex). It works wonders for me in both pre and post surgical inflammatory flares.

I am also a fan of the intelliskin garments for postural correction.