Hey guys,

As you know I'm getting ready for surgery but not before getting a second opinion as well.

I also wanted to "add" dr Gharagazloo to our "list" as he is an amazingly knowledgeable surgeon with lots of experience. He is doing robotic surgery for TOS.

I still have to go back for a CT scan and MRA but his theory is very interesting. He think there is a congenital issue with how the first ribs are attached to the sternum and that is what causes the arterial compression. His approach is to cut the rib from the sternum and to do that he does robotic surgery. He has lots of articles published if anyone is interested.

Cheers, I'll keep you posted.

Interesting! Hopefully the surgeries are getting more advanced and successful.

Yes, I would believe it. My dad has had minor problems from weight lifting. He just modified his routine and it went away. So lucky he is...mine originated from a car accident, but became unbearable last fall with a change in employment, typing all day.

Nellyzen -

what are your worst symptoms? Are the docs thinking this is neurogenic or arterial or maybe both??

Hi there As you know I had that feeling of compression for a while in my forearms which went away but the pain is still there.

My symptoms are inconsistent as far as location, but the pain is always there day and night. Shoulder pain, burning, arms, fingers, neck. Sometimes it's very achey, sometimes it's burning, depends on how much activity I do.

Going for MRA and CT scan on the 10th, will keep you posted on the results.

Oh and dr Gharagazloo thinks my issue is mainly arterial. My orthopedic dr diagnosed me with neurogenic. I guess we'll find out soon enough what it is.

Thanks for this! I think ever-present yet fluctuating pain across the upper-extremity is somewhat of a hallmark of TOS. arghh!!

Interesting that your doc is thinking it might be arterial. At first, I pursued this route in my case... had doppler ultrasound which was normal, so was told no need for MRA. Very interested in what the MRA shows for you...

good luck w/ the testing and keep us posted...