[heybro]

My therapist got my rib to move down 50 percent but it is not going down any further.

Have surgery or wait awhile and try therapy again later?

[mspennyloafer]

How much is 50 percent
Curious

[heybro]

in other words, there is a spot where the rib should sit. there is a spot where it sat when i first went in for therapy. she has been able to move it half way.

[kellysf]

Originally Posted by heybro

in other words, there is a spot where the rib should sit. there is a spot where it sat when i first went in for therapy. she has been able to move it half way.

To me, the issue is more what you pain level and function are, rather than where your rib is. Has moving the rib 50% reduced your pain and other symptoms? If yes, I would personally avoid surgery if you are at a place that is tolerable.

I had surgery that did not provide relief so that makes me more cautious when it comes to considering surgery.

Take care,
Kelly

[heybro]

i am completely fine as long as i do absolutely nothing with my arms.

[Eddiemaverick]

I was similarly OK if I did nothing, but at 16 weeks post-op (Dr. Donahue) I am cautiously allowing myself to admit that I feel good. I've been back at work for 7 weeks and I'm not experiencing the burning nerve pain that I had before, which particularly would be more intense at the end of a work day. I'm still cautious and don't do any other activity, but so far I have no regrets. I am confident that Dr. Donahue is the right person to have seen.

[chris_tucker10]

I am having similar concerns, therapy has started to help and most of the pain is gone and tingling/numbness has greatly decreased but I also haven't done much with my hands. I have a surgery scheduled for a week but since my symptoms have been the way they are I am not sure if I would be better off waiting.

[Jomar]

Just from my own personal experience.

If you can get no, or very low symptoms with good PT and /or other therapy , there will be a time of the body getting used to the new situation.
You can't expect to go from " disabled" to back to normal activities right away.

most times TOS creeps up on us over time and the returning to a more normal state needs to be done slowly also. baby steps is what we call it.

The last thing you want to do , is too much and start the flare ups again.
Slow and easy is the best way to rehab back from it.

It may take over a year or more with PT etc, but a complete post op recovery will take the same time frame to know if it really was worth it.

[heybro]

arrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhh jomar, how painfully simplistic and yet so hard to live by. hehe. i shall try.

[nukenurse]

Just an FYI: Dr. Angle told me that people that don't have symptoms too bad and are able to work a little, etc, are even better candidates for surgery and can expect better outcomes. It is likely that I will be having surgery this summer --- I just don't know who I will use yet.

As far as goals of PT or surgery, it all depends what is acceptable for you. For example, I am able to live with minimal pain if I keep my activity level low. I can even work 2 days per week. However, this is unacceptable --- I must be able to work full time. PT and Chiro give me relief, but once I start working full time again, my TOS starts getting out of control ---- starts to take over my life and destroy it.