Originally Posted by tsquaw

Hi. Just wanted to wish you both good luck! I have finally been diagnosed with NTOS and pectoralis minor syndrome. I have surgery scheduled on Nov 29. can't believe I'm actually excited (and scared to to death) but I am looking forward to some relief! It has been a long and painful road. I am a rural carrier in Florida and this has made it impossible to continue working. I have bilateral ntos and crossing my fingers that I do not need surgery on the right also. Keep looking for answers....don't give up! I wish you the best.

Originally Posted by tsquaw

So happy to hear that you are getting some where with your treatment. it is so hard to find doctors that except workmans comp. the main reason I chose not to go that route. I'm interested in the same answers....I'm having rib removal and also removal of PDF minor muscle. my doctor told me that I will have to do aggressive therapy to get the strength back in my arm. he said the pec minor muscle is responsible for the lifting with the arm stretched in front of you and is also the muscle used in pushing. it has been so long since I've used my left arm I'm sure I'll have a lot of work to do but I am ready! Can't wait to get my life back! You have a very dangerous job. my son in law and my husband both work for the sheriff's dept. I'm sending prayers out to y'all. please keep the updates coming.

Originally Posted by jkl626

Good luck! Who is doing your surgery? It seems there are not too many drs that do the pec minor surgery. How did they determine that the pm is involved?
I have those symptoms too, but my beleif is that the rib is pushing on the pm and that is what is causing the numbness.

Originally Posted by brmr19

Joshuamr, I can tell you that I have been in law enforcement for 19 years and my problems started two years ago. I have had two surgeries on my left side Sept 2011 and July 2012. I still have nerve issues. I do have ATOS and NTOS bilateral. I have been doing therapy ever since and had to be put on disability. I am in Ohio, and our law here gives me five years to return where the city that I worked for has to give me back my position if I can make it back. I still lack the strength in my left arm to pass the city doctors tests, so I continue to go to therapy. Everybody is different and responds to the surgery and healing with varied results, so it depends on how your body responds. Good Luck and my prayers are with you. I miss the job very much. As you know there is a special bond between coworkers that you put your trust with, and I miss being around my coworkers. I fight everyday with this TOS, but I refuse to let it beat me. Keep up the good fight.

Originally Posted by Joshuamr

Hey everyone....my workers comp doctor finally gave me the authorization to go see a vascular surgeon, and finally agreed that i have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I have started my search of doctors and narrowed it down to some in state, and if i have to, some out of state doctors. I live in NY close to NYC and the only problem i have ran into so far is that a lot of the doctors don't accept workers comp cases. I am waiting for a call back from Dr Darren Schneider from New York Presbyterian to find out if he will accept my case. I chose him based on some good reviews. I was just curious about the surgeries to correct TOS. I know there are different procedures based on your specific diagnosis, but i was just wondering about limitations after these surgeries. I dont mean right after surgery, because i'm sure there are many limitations at that point. I am talking more about long term. I am in the law enforcement field, and in my line of work you have to be prepared to use all of your limbs at any time. Right now i'm completely limited to my duties and am sitting at a desk....which often aggravates my symptoms more! With a surgery such as a rib resection or when they cut part of your pec muscle.....does this limit your arm function or range of motion permanently? After the surgery is that area now more susceptible to injury due to the change of overall structure? (like a direct blow to the clavicle/Shoulder area, or a fall impacting that area). These are all things i'm sure my doctor could answer for me eventually....i would just love to hear some first hand accounts. After my surgery my jobs doctors are going to evaluate me in order to determine if i am capable of returning to work in a full capacity. This is why i ask other people who have had any of these surgeries their limitations. Thanks for your help and support.

Originally Posted by NerPain4

Hi there,
Dr. Darren Schneider used to be in the Bay Area, CA, that is the region where I live now. He has an excellent reputation and is a very skilled surgeon. Now New Yorkers are so lucky to have him. Since he has not been in N.Y. state that long, he may not be in the W.C. system yet. I know that he accepted W.C. patients when he was the chief of vascular surgery for U.C.S.F. in CA. You might just call his office and ask.

As to your question about your functional limitations after surgery-- please get the best physical therapy AFTER your p.t., your doctor should prescribe it and push to have it authorized. I have heard that the better shape you are in before surgery the quicker your recovery will be. But some people with very narrow A to P chests could run a greater risk of damage because there is just not enough room.

There are risks to having TOS surgery, a risk of nerve damage. However not having surgery slowly damages the nerves too! Every person, every body is individual.

Also, I would not recommend Pec Minor release because it will result in a weaker pectoral area! If you are in law enforcement you need to be physically strong. Pec Minor cuts a muscle/tendon! Please get a thorough diagnostic workup to figure out how much of your problems are coming from "Pec Minor" impingement. Do not agree to get the Pec Minor until a doctor proves to you that it will help you.

I hope you are able to see Dr. Schneider!

Originally Posted by Nottherightkindofdr

You and i have very similar symptoms. I haven't had the surgery yet, but mine is scheduled with dr pearl in Dallas on 12/4. Sounds like your neurologist isn't familiar with TOS. I would recommend You see a vascular surgeon who has done many rib resections. (Theres a list in this forum.) they too can diagnose you. I wasted a lot of time and $ going to different neurologists.