Hello everyone! I was recently diagnosed with TOS and have begin to try to find some relief! I have had an appointment with Dr. Annest and he confirmed TOS and requested that I see Dr. Sanders for a scalene block. Then we ALS talked about surgery. I am very concerned about having Sanders do the block. From what I understand his practices are very outdated. I would love to hear any feed back on any recent experiences with either of these doctors??? Thanks for all of the help and information!!!

Have no fear about Dr. Sanders doing the scalene block. He knows exactly what he is doing. At the top in the sticky threads someone described getting the lidocaine scalene block from Dr. Sanders, this is an exact description of what I experienced.

He will possibly do a pec minor block as well. This is all purely diagnostic.

You will also likely have a nerve conduction test with Dr. Machanic. He is also brilliant. He picked up on the exact muscles I was having trouble with that are now weak and have caused me to have diminished fine motor skills.

If your intent is to have surgery, than you are getting some of the best care in the country in my opinion.

I will send you a pm

Thanks Parbie but I don't believe I can message you back or I just don't know how! Sorry I just found this forum not too long ago!

I had surgery/diagnosis with Dr. Annest and Sanders. Couldn't be more pleased. Dr. Sanders did a fantastic job during my appointments. I trust him completely.

You are in good hands with both Dr. Sanders (had the blocks done in May 2014 with him) and Dr. Annest (he did my bi-lateral cervie and 1st rib resections in 2004 and bi-lateral pec-minor disinsertion in 2005). Far from outdated, these doctors are on the cutting edge of TOS study.

Anne

How many years did you have TOS before you got surgery? Dr. Sanders and Dr. Annest were my doctors but claimed I was inoperable after muscles above and below the collarbone "caved in".

I am six years disabled and in a bad way. I see others getting surgical help years after diagnosis and am wondering why I can't.....

I think Dr. Sanders is a God, but I did hear from another patient that he has symptoms which appear to resemble Alzheimers. He no longer does surgery and consults for Dr. Annest. He does in office procedures, but another woman who had actually gotten a scalenectomy from him (and had her husband in the office for a second analysis for the other side) noted her performed a scalene block on the side he had already operated on. (i.e. she had her scalene muscle partially removed already). Like me, she considered Dr. Sanders a god, but couldn't help but notice he was scattered.

I guess what I am saying is, his methods are great, but he may not be in peak form. Scalene blocks can be dangerous, although he has probably performed them in his sleep. That being said, he knows more about TOS than any other doctor on the planet. This I can tell you after years of research. He took my calls for years and I nominated him for a Nobel prize (not that they gave it to him). He has spent his whole career researching TOS and his book on TOS (which you can find online) tells the story of what will happen to you.....It basically told the story of my life had I known it when I first read it.......

My surgery was cancelled because I was considered too complex. Dr. Donahue is treating me now and did my first rib resection on the left side, right side scheduled to follow six months after the first side.

Hi there, I never heard of muscles caving in!! Sounds a little strange. Seems like Dr Sanders just does scalenectomys vs rib resections from the posts on here. Reason could be hes a vascular surgeon n they dont like to remove bones, just not their forte.
I had bilateral tos surgeries w both ribs n muscles removed, had sx for 8 yrs preop.
Also a complex patient, due to having previous neck fushion, ulnar n decompression and a subacromian decompression.
I think u need to get another opinion. There are several other expert tos drs around the country. The newest tos book came out May 2013 which 4 experts contributed to the making of this book. U used to be able to read some parts online, but I dont think u can
anymore. Its put out by Springer.


anymore.