Also, I had to have the surgery because I also had VTOS with a 100% risk of a blood clot along with nerve symptoms, but it was definitely the right call.

He said that he treats athletes and the amount of scarring he found was more than he expected and that the amount was similar to that of a volleyball player. Athletes are prone to TOS, in fact, Chris Carpenter, pitcher for St Louis Cardinals had TOS surgery earlier this year, is returning to pitch.

Hi, sorry for delay in replying. Dr Donahue said that if I did nothing (and I thought of quitting my job altogether and then doing nothing), the nerve and blood vessel compression would not go away on its own. In his opinion, this would be detrimental. He said that blood vessels can withstand compression better than nerves, as a general rule. Nerves continue to make scar tissue to protect themselves, which causes more scar tissue to form. Nerve surgery is VERY difficult, and I did nothing, it is very feasible that I could reach the point where surgery would not be very successful at all and the nerves would be permanently damagedl. I have just booked appt for the rt side TOS surgery for Dec. Now, depending on what I do, the rt hand has more numbness than the left (it was opposite before surgery), so a definite improvement is being made. He said 6 mths to a year to recover. I go back to work next week (not happy about that). Hopefully I will do okay...

I can't say enough great things about Dr. Donahue. He has done three surgeries for me this year and has been amazing in every aspect. Please don't hesitate to contact me anytime.

Good luck going back to work...pace yourself as much as possible. If you type a lot check with your employer about getting voice command. It will make the return more successful. Keep us posted!

I feel so very lucky that I am seeing Dr. Donahue. I read some of the stories on here and they make me cringe. I think that it is very important to feel comfortable w/ whom is going to operate on you. From what I understand about this surgery it is not something to consider lightly, I know personally i've gone back and forth about it. I made a desperate phone call last week to Dr. Donahue when i was in a bad flare, he talked me through everything personally and reassured me that he was not going to let anything bad happen to me It is a rare occasion that you get a doctor who cares, I do feel truely blessed that he is my surgeon. Although i have not had my surgery yet, (it's OCT. 30) I have high hopes!!

Not sure if I ans'd you. Returning to work tomorrow, sadly. I am very nervous about it. I must work full time and typing for almost 8 hrs a day will really be difficult. If I really do nothing at home, my hand almost feels normal. It has a very mild feeling similar to how it feels when your hands were almost frozen from skiing all day, and they are warming up in the ski lodge. A waking up feeling. My elbow swelling is diminishing very slowly. But if I really take it easy, the elbow doesn't hurt very much. Have booked 2nd surgery for Dec. Have also booked a consult with a wrist surgeon at Mass General, a Dr Jupiter, that Dr Donahue recommended. My left and right tendonosis is bad and if Dr Jupiter feels he can help me, I will seriously consider that surgery. PT did nothing to help that situation. My worries are if I do nothing, and even if my husband (who lost his job this summer) gets a fantastic job and I can stay home, will I pay dearly down the road by just living with the tendonosis. Need to stop typing. BUt, I clearly remember Dr. D stating that his surgery could very well not eliminate all of my symptoms, referring to the wrists. Getting old is not fun!

Unfortunately, voice command software is not feasible, I have at least 4 applications on 2 screens open at same time, and also, having to talk on phone at same time, the tech dept said it would not work for me...I am quite aware I will be a very slow healer. Dr D said my condition was in the making for at least 10 years. My intent is to quit the job after 2nd surgery. (provided hubby is working, he IS interviewing, yeah!!) But I will keep posting as time progresses - this is all an education process for us all.

I am not very good at following this site, I may have posted my answer in the wrong thread. Returned to work after almost 4 mths post-op, worked 10 days, had to stop. Working really aggravated my post-op symptoms, even the incision hurt. When I returned to work, I was initially feeling great. Been out of work since Oct 11. Still recovering from that, but have made good progress. When I wake up, just lying in bed, I feel fine. And the arm fatigue has never returned since surgery, either, so I am definitely better than before surgery. If I aggravate my arm, I usually recover within an hour. will get rt side done, hopefully, but next summer.

I saw dr donahue again today for a follow up exam. After seven months of PT I am much better and he said that I do not need surgery. He is such a kind and smart man- answered all of our questions. He clearly does not recommend surgery unless it is truly necessary.