Hello!

I was recently diagnosed with TOS after close to 13 years of searching for Answers. I was seeing a specialist in NYC who recommended surgery since PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, dry needling, injections, massage have not worked. All tests come back negative, including the 5 MRIs I have had over the years. The only test to show signs was the arterial doppler and ultrasound.

The issue I am having is my doctor has "bad" reviews. Mostly just about his personality, not necessarily his surgical abilities. But, nonetheless I would like to get a second and possibly third opinion from doctors in NJ. Apparently a vascular surgeon is the specialist I want to be seeing.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a TOS specialist in NJ?

Thank you!!

It sounds like you have VTOS /ATOS = (arterial/venous) per the testing..
Swelling, heaviness, etc in arms?
Any blood clots?
Was posture worked on at all?
If a forward head /shoulders might be a crowding the area issue..

Might be NJ doc listed here
DOCTORS & PTs List and saved PT info threads -
DOCTORS & PTs List and saved PT info threads

Or use the forum search with term - new jersey, surgeon etc...
http://www.neurotalk.org/search.php

Hi Jo*mar,

I have heaviness in my arm and hand, but no swelling and no blood clots. I had read that it could still be only NTOS that compresses the artery during certain movements. As I have had this for close to 13 years, I think if I had vTOS or aTOS it would have shown some of those symptoms by now? I really don't know. The doctors never clarified which type I had. I know its not vTOS though.

Yes I have done PT multiple times and am currently doing it again. Always working on posture. This time though, the surgeon recommended I not do ANY strengthening of the postural muscles, as it can irritate it, and in my past experiences, it definitely does irritate it. So now I am mostly doing stretches for posture and am much more aware when I am slouching.

I looked through the Doctors & PT List yesterday, and while it shows two doctors in NJ, I looked in to them and neither are actually in NJ, they are in Philadelphia, PA. Which for me is just as far as NYC, where I had seen a vascular surgeon. The NYC doctor on that Doctors & PT List works at the same hospital I went to to see the other vascular surgeon, and would prefer to find a difference facility to get a second opinion.

Thank you for your response!

We have other stickys also so read though those too.
The Trigger point one and the Useful sites/info has tons that will help you get the best care & many home/self care ideas.

The standard cookie cutter PT plan is not the best at all for TOS.
you need very good PTs maybe even an expert chiro if you might have misalignments..
things to learn about-
top rib mobilization
Fascia or myofascia - tissue which surrounds and covers all of your muscles and bones. - can get tight & sticky..
nutrition/vitamins/supplements - might help..if diet is lacking

There are a few other types of TOS - Disputed is one , usually when testing shows no clear factor or impingement. Often the chronic RSI type.