First timer here, looking for guidance and information...

Long story short, I was in a car accident about two months ago; was ambulanced to the hospital and told I had a severe case of whiplash. Two days later, I ended back in the ER for shortness of breath and constant pain in my shoulder and neck. Once again, I was told that it was whiplash and the shortness of breath was a result of sore muscles not letting my chest expand properly to breathe.

I was seen for a follow up and was recommended to physical therapy for whiplash treatment. That lasted about six weeks until the physical therapists cancelled my treatments due to no progress and the fact that I still didnt have a proper diagnosis as to what was actually causing all of this pain, tension, and impaired movement. The physical therapists I had seen all agreed that I showed the symptoms of thoracic outlet and told me to ask my PCP for a referral to an Orthopedic Surgeon.

Orthopedic Surgeon: This appointment did not go well for me; being that it left me with only more questions than answers. He stated that my elevated rib was probably something I was born with (I'm 28, out of the x-rays, ct's, MRI's and such that I have had in life; wouldn't I know if that was the case?). When I asked about the impingement my PCP had mentioned, he dismissed that saying that my pain was not a result of such because I can't even lift my arm to ninety degrees or higher (my MRI showed that I have type II acromion, but everything else appeared to be normal). He completely dismissed Thoracic Outlet as an option and told me his best guess was that I have RSDs. To which he informed me that "cortisone shots and physical therapy were the best and only treatments that I could get" to help with the pain and "there was nothing else that could be done". After informing me that this could last a year or even longer, I was beside myself.

I've read many articles on both RSDs and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, to which my symptoms most correlate with TOS. However, I am stuck and am not sure which steps to take at this point. I've had multiple opinions and yet here I am stuck in horrific pain to which I find little relief and have no real answer as to what is wrong other than the common conclusion that it is something to do with damaging my nerves which is a direct result from the car accident.

What I need is answers, I refuse to be a "broken toy". This entire ordeal has not only been frustrating and depressing, but an endeavor to which I am starting to lose hope in finding releif. I know that there has to be some information out there that can get me back onto the right path.

Any and all information or guidance is most welcome and appreciated!

Did you find our TOS sticky threads ? Those are very helpful for a crash course as well as a Drs & Pts sticky..

It sounds like some advanced PT or even expert chiropractic might be helpful, especially if you were just fine before the accident.

If TOS it can take time and if high pain, probably meds & injections /blocks might need to be looked into.
But experts are best so you don't get injured more.

Poor or inexperienced PT can make yo much worse.

The PT didnt help, they said my scalene wouldnt loosen and no matter what they tried my first rib wouldn't go back into place. Medication barely touched my pain, so they upped my levels and gave me another to help with the tingling and numbness. That helps a bit, but not a lot. One of the physical therapists was a specialist in myofascial release and another in TOS. I had about 3 different people working on my program and eventually they all concluded that more extensive testing would be needed to figure out exactly what is going on. They messaged my PCP which is how I ended up with the referal to ortho. Now, after research and guidance I am going to ask for a referal to a neurologist and see where that takes me. Also, I am looking to get a second opinion from a doctor which specialized in TOS, I'd rather have them tell me yes that is it, or no it is not; just to confirm that I am getting the right diagnosis.

I will check out the stick threads and see what I can find there, I am new to this; so not sure where exactly to look for what.

Here is the main TOS forum page- the stickys are in the section above the list of threads -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

Reading thru the other recently posted threads is a good way to get general info and specific from members.