[Steff]

please help. i do not know how to help my son. he got tarsal tunnel in the ankles from over running, and now he has been diagnossed with TOS from swimming since he cannot run anymore.
where do i begin?
we live in huntington beach. ca/
i read some of the stickies, but there is so much to understand.
where is the best and first PT to go to?
thanks
mom steff

[mucker]

Hi welcome to the tos family. You are at the right place i wish i could help but i live in Canada so i am sure someone from the USA well be along to help you with pt info. How old is your son this must be really tough for him to have all these problems i know it is for me and i am 42 and not in to sports except for golfing and i use to really like swimming and fishing and i have been unable to do any for these things since i got tos in 2004. I hope you find the info fast and a good doctor my doctor said that there is a better chance of getting things undercontrol if you get the treatment one needs.

[Bi-Coastal]

Dear Mom S.

I am sorry to hear that your son is having so many difficulties. It must be very difficult for you too.

I just wanted to say that your son really MUST see a TOS specialist and do not just jump into PT.

Even though it does seem to be standard proceedure for TOS patients to be first sent to PT, (just in case it resolves the issue). Your son must have PT supervised by someone trained in TOS therapy, as well as monitored by a knowledgeable physician.

Also, your son may have cervical ribs or even other issues (maybe NOT TOS), and in those cases, PT could cause more harm than good.

I am sure there are several qualified TOS specialists in So. Cal. Your son may wish to be seen by a Thoracic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, or Orthopeidic Surgeon and probably followed up with a Rheumatologist and Pain Specialist.

In addition, he will need many forms of testing and there is tons of info on that on this forum.

Your son definately needs to be evaluated for depression, which very commonly goes hand in hand with chronic pain.

I don't know his age or circumstance, but he sounds like a 'physical' personality. His inablity to exercise must be frustrating and depressing for him.

This forum is most assuredly a great resource for you. Many others here will be able to help guide you and your son in this new journey.

Warmly,
Anne

[watsonsh]

Hi,

There will be several TOSers who will come by and offer some advice. Many of us will agree if you can get to see Dr Sheldon Jordan in Santa Monica he will help diagnose and spearhead treatment. He is a neuro.

Several of us go to a TOS PT specialist named Joyce Wilkinson also in Santa Monica. But please see Dr Jordan first for a diagnosis before starting any PT. The wrong PT can make things worse.

[Peg24]

Welcome,

They are so right about the PT. I live in FLorida and I am not fortunate to have any PT's in my area who are familar enough with TOS to treat it properly. If not done right, it can just irratate things more.

See a TOS specialist and let him lead in correct PT treatment.

We are here to help in anyway we can.

Peggy

[johannakat]

If your son is an athletic sort, another place for him to go for PT is Westside Spine and Joint. 310-209-2011 x2, see Kevin, not the other guy. It is near UCLA. I know this and Joyce are both a good distance from you, but they would be worthwhile trips, even if just to get started. WS&J is also good for a one time visit to get a set of home exercises.

I must concur with Shelley's recommendation to see Dr Jordan. He is a favorite for many of us, caring and knowledgeable in and out of his own field. If your son has tarsal tunnel, you certainly are familiar with having a neurologist... Can you tell us any more about what type of doctor(s) you have seen, and how he got diagnosed?

If there is a possibility he needs surgery, Dr Ahn would probably be the person to see. His phone number is the same as WS&J, but x3. Probably worth a consult even if you don't think he needs surgery, Dr Ahn is a fair and conservative doctor, and an excellent surgeon.

Also, does your son spend a lot of time on the computer? TOS definitely is aggravated by keyboarding, even if that particular repetative strain was not the original cause.

I am so sorry for you to have to deal with this. Above all please be available to listen to your son. TOS is real and a very painful, debilitating condition. It is hard for others to comprehend because there is nothing to see...but that does not mean it doesn't cause pain and malfunction. Your son is fortunate that he has such a great mom looking out for him.

Lastly, feel fortunate that if he must be stuck with TOS, that here in LA as there are many talented and knowledgable doctors. You will be able to get good and affordable care for him without travelling. Many others are not so lucky.

I am here in LA as well as many others. Please feel free to PM me with any question you may have, or if it would be helpful for you or your son to talk to someone in person. Dr Jordan is my primary doc, I just had my second surgery with Dr Ahn 3 weeks ago, I have also done PT with Joyce and with Westside Spine and Joint and a few others in and around the south bay.