Hello,
I just found this site and am a little panicked about my pectoralis tendon release surgery in two days and wanted some input.
Briefly, I am a boom operator on a TV show which means I hold an 18 foot graphite pole with a microphone on the end to capture dialogue from the actors. I do this 12 hours a day and have been in the industry for 15 years. Last spring I developed epicondolytis in both elbows and had to stop working. After 8 months of rest, physical therapy, ultrasound, anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections I have had no improvement of symptoms and still cannot work.
On the advice of my favorite physical therapist, I went to see Dr. Samuel Ahn in Los Angeles after a physical exam he concluded that I had thoracic outlet syndrome, venous I believe. Two weeks later the angiogram confirmed it. I could see the narrowing of the jugular vein in my shoulders. He did not think PT would work for me and suggested pectoralis tendon release surgery. I see him on Monday.
Everything that I have experienced thus far has not worked. The angiogram gave me 2-3 days of no pain in both arms, then it came back which leads me to believe that the diagnosis is correct. Does that sound plausible? I believe the Dr. Ahn has possible solution to my problem, but I would love to hear anything and everything from anyone with this problem and/or experience with Dr. Ahn. I will cancel the surgery if i have to. I thank anyone who responds to this message in advance.

Thanks
juniorcorey

I am fairly new, still with much to learn about TOS, and know nothing about your doctor (hopefully those with more knowledge will chime in for you)...but my advice would be to get at least a second opinion, maybe even a third, before proceeding with any type of surgery for any condition (unless of course it's life or limb threatening).

Isn't there any kind of counter balance or assist on those booms?

I would suggest a few more specialized therapy providers, before surgery of any kind, unless you start getting clots.

You can do search for dr Ahn, he has been mentionedhere , but I can't recall any details.

I don't know what kind of PT they did for you... was it specialized in any way for your symptoms and needs?
Often most PT places will do the standard cookie cutter protocol, an that rarely helps for TOS.

I suggest seeking out a specialist/ expert PT and /or expert chiropractor that also does manual therapy and PT modalities.
If the foundation is off you can't get the best results until that is fixed.

What worked for me -Ultrasound, IF stim, low level laser, trigger point work, some massage, posture work (getting the head/shoulders back and down in line with body), top rib mobilization..
lots of self care /home posture work, 2.5 yrs approx to get recovered from severe RSI/TOS.

Jo*mar,
There has been no PT because I was recently diagnosed after wasting 7 months with a hand specialist that missed the diagnosis. I am getting short on disability and need to get back to work so I need to decide on going forward with the surgery on not by Sunday morning the 16th. Would you be willing to talk to me on the phone so I could get a better picture of my options? If you are willing let me know and I'll check the forum first thing or go ahead and call me at **. I appreciate your input and maybe I'll hear from you.

Thanks
juniorcorey

That was my problem also, dx'd w/ RSI and shoulder/neck "strain".. Wasted time @ hand therapy too..

I finally came across TOS info and then found the forum that many were at before this one came into being.
I had saved all of the links in the useful sticky thread post #1 and brought them here when this site started up..it is pretty much a crash course for TOS.
Very important info..
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html
dr & PTs-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread135.html
Trigger point inf & some PT info-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread125577.html

Were you able to do the search for Dr Ahn related posts?

There are a few members from CA also that found very good PT, I can't recall the names or location other than CA.

just remembered the PT name - is this near you?
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...61535280,d.cGU

I'll add CA into your title and maybe those members will notice and reply..

I would ask your self the questions before undergoing surgery-

What is your pain level avg on a usual day?
Can you use your hands for daily home activities of life and care?

Money is an issue of course, could you get light duty job while moving forward if you try more PT?
but surgery isn't a guarantee of a fix.. can't be reversed, and may not help much, or at worst may make things worse.. and recovery takes time also.

Here are some CA drs names & info from back in 2006 - some may have moved since then but a web search of the name should bring newest contact info..
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post21780-2.html

Some of our CA located members postings -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ght=california

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ght=california

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ght=california

check your messages folder (email)

Jo*Mar,
Thanks for the wealth of info. I really appreciate it. It seems that I am on the milder end of the TOS continuum with some atypical symptoms, compared to a lot of folks. I have absolutely no nerve issues and a nerve conduction velocity test confirmed that last summer. I have had a numbing of my left pinkie when I ride my motorcycle for years. Currently, my epicondolytis just won't get betterand i am able to perform most tasks with a modest to unpleasant amount of pain. The job is the thing and I am working on retraining, but I do need to work in the interim. With regards to your TOS did you ever get a scan or imaging of any kind that showed unequivocally what your problem was? The specialized PT sounds like a possible solution, especially with people like Ando, but I have an overdeveloped tendon that clearly impinges on the jugular vein. Is that something that PT can correct?