Hey everyone, havent been on here for awhile. I had a successful TOS Surgery on my right side in January 2013 with Dr. Thompson. I have had great improvement and couldn't have asked for a better recovery. My only problem is that now it appears I am getting more severe symptoms on my left side. When I first had met with Dr. Thompson in 2012 he noted that I did have symptoms on my left side but hoped they would improve after surgery on the right side, and previously they had.

However, about a month ago I started getting a little achyness in the left arm with tendon swelling in the first digit of my hand. Then 2 weeks ago I started getting the migraines up the neck and in my eyes. Now my scapular muscles are really tight, have whole arm aching, muscle twitching, hand pain, finger pain (even hurts to straighten/bend fingers), but no nerve pain.

I am going to call Dr. Thompson tomorrow, but was curious if anybody else has had it happen on opposite side after TOS surgery. I am in tears of having to possibly go thru this again, as it was honestly the worse time of my life and it seemed like things were just getting back to normal.

I think it happens fairly often.
During recovery you probably used that L side more and maybe after still subconsciously protecting the R side..

And with the R side feeling so much better , then you would notice any L side sx more as you know what they are.


There are probably old posts mentioning this if I recall..

Did you have a specific cause for your TOS?
That you can think of?
Like some previous trauma, broken bone, large bone/ligaments?

On the right side I had an extra rib, winging scapula, and generally did not have the best posture. So I don't if the left side would have an extra rib, as have not ever had MRI's done on that side. Did not ever had trama, but originally was thought to be partially caused by repetitive stress like typing.

I guess I assumed if an extra rib showed up on one side they would image the other side to check, better yet check both sides at the same time..

Good Morning TellerMom,
Thanks for sharing your story. Your story is similar to mines. I've been dealing with TOS now for 21 years. I had my third surgery on my left side in Dec of last year. It was a Scalenectomy. My previous two surgeries was on my right side. One in 1994 and the other one in 2002, or 2003. I was told they remove only the first rib. Well I didn't get better, and I went through years of pain, swelling, involuntarily movement, etc., before I had this third surgery. This third doctor informed me he wanted to do this Scalenectomy, hoping it would help my left side, and with the symptoms on my right. He did the left side because I loss so much use of the arm and hand. I will see him next week for my second post op visit, and give you all an update. FYI, my symptoms on my right side has not improved. Left side from the Dec surgery is okay. Still in a lot of pain, some swelling, and other symptoms. But I haven't had physical therapy yet, so this is probably the next step he has for me. He did inform me, if I do not have any improvement in my right side, I might need a fourth surgery,but I more than likely will not have it. Sorry for the long response, but I thought you should know, you are not alone. I'm praying you, and keep fighting.

God bless