I haven't seen that much about Doppler Ultrasound on this forum.

Has anyone had a Doppler Ultrasound to test for vascular TOS?
Does this test definitively diagnose or rule out vascular TOS?

It seems people talk more about MRA/MRV or other radiography to see arteries/veins.

For those that have vascular TOS, can you share how you got a definitive diagnosis?

I just got the test - it came back normal for the most part. Except that when i put my arms straight up, the blood flow to the hands is completely cut off. The doc says I definitely don't have vascular TOS - but b/c my blood flow gets cut off when my arm are straight up-- it indicates that my 'thoracic outlet space" is smaller and that I may have a predisposition for TOS...neurogenic TOS.

Does anyone have any input or experience they can share...about the Doppler? Would really appreciate it....

Anyone out there....??? Please help....

So, when my arms are straight up, the blood flow is completely cut off -- but the doctor says this is NOT vascular TOS, b/c blood flow is OK when arms are down or at shoulder height.
Does this sound right???

My hands are so painful and they get very very cold....

Do you have any swelling in arms? arm color changes?

My blood flow still stops when I raise my arms up.
There is a small % of population that is normal for them, and for whatever reason they don't get TOS.

I have mild symptoms now, more myofascial discomfort than anything.
My worst times were in 03-05, from multiple RSIs & shoulder strains that became TOS due to many years repetitive work combined with static postures.

Early on I had sharp hand cramps, loss of fine finger coordination, wrist pain from tight/spasms-ed muscles, forearm pain, elbow pain & hypersensitivity, neck pain, shoulder pain, upper back pain, I think that covers it..

Found expert therapy/chiro, off work, lots of self care /posture stuff..took quite awhile to get beyond having to be careful of activities.

There is also a "disputed" TOS - if no clear nerve or vascular cause fits.

I feel it is very possible to have some nerve and some vascular symptoms , and not enough to be clear cut for one or the other label.
poor posture, spasms and trigger points can affect the nerves and the blood flow in the area.

Thanks for your reply.
So - according to what you said-- having your blood flow stop when your arms are directly overhead -- is NOT a definitive sign of TOS. Thanks - its good to hear it again from someone else. Unfortunately, I need to hear things multiple times from multiple different people before I start to believe it... for better or for worse at this point.

Some doctors think i have TOS and others are not convinced.... I am also not so sure what to think either.
I don't have visible swelling or color changes. I have some left shoulder/neck pain and then some really extreme pain in both hands And, on my right side, the only think that hurts is my hand/wrist area. I also don't have any numbess or tingling but have found my hands to get very cold... I was exercising the other day and while the rest of my body was hot and sweating, my hands were ice cold.

So - have you had the doppler ultrasound test? Did you have it more than once? Did the test pick up any changes when you started to feel better?

thanks again for your reply.

In addition to TOS issues, I have to keep my pec major and pec minor muscles stretched. Otherwise, they tighten up so much that they interfere with the circulation in my arms. Well mostly my left side. I have only hints of TOS and pec problems on the right.

Some doctors call it "pec minor syndrome", but whatever, I just call it "tight pec minors".

You can search these forums and the web for various stretches.

Getting this straightened out provided a major improvement for me.

Now if I could get my scalenes fully under control, I would be sitting pretty!

I had an ultrasound but I don't think it was doppler. It showed occlusion at various arm positions. The bigger issue is whether you are symptomatic, regardless of test results. Obviously, doctors like tests to confirm their diagnoses, but often that is not the case with TOS -- especially neurogenic TOS.

Has your doctor offered any other explanation for your symptoms and pain? More importantly, has your doctor suggested any treatment that might address your symptoms?

I had a recent ultrasound. I have neurogenic TOS but new test shows in upright position bloood cuts off. I now have Vasculer too. I have both Neurogenic and Vasculer now along with carpal tunnel not to mention rotator cuff tear and herniated disc. Therapy is no help. Doe snayone else have symtoms of both?

I had the doppler ultrasound, which immediately showed blood flow restriction with arms at shoulder height. They also checked my vertebral artery which showed that when the subclavian artery was constricted, my vertebral artery would shout down completely. It caused major dizziness.

Hi - thanks for your post. What do you mean by "upright position" ? Are you referring to arms straight up?

btw- I think there a quite a few people on the forum with both neurogenic and vascular symptoms/diagnosis.

Tested for raising them, bith shoulders frozen and I can't raise above 90%