If your rings suddenly don’t fit, you’re experiencing numbness or tingling in your fingers and hand, or discoloration in your arm, you may have thoracic outlet syndrome. The relatively rare group of conditions affects as few as 1 in 100,000 people but can be treated successfully once it’s diagnosed.
Keep reading to find out symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for thoracic outlet syndrome.
Venous thoracic outlet syndrome is typically caused by repetitive trauma to the veins and frequently occurs in swimmers and baseball pitchers.
Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome, the rarer type, happens when an artery is compressed.
Those with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome often have vague arm, shoulder, and neck discomfort that make it hard to diagnose. Patients usually have numbness and tingling in the arms and hands and may experience pain when raising the arm above the head.
Venous thoracic outlet syndrome causes swelling, numbness or tingling, and bluish discoloration. Some patients may have bulging veins in the neck, shoulders, or hands. A blood clot can occur because of the compression of the veins.
Symptoms of arterial thoracic outlet syndrome can include cold hands or pain. Similar to the venous version, some patients also have a blood clot due to the restriction of the blood flow in the artery.
An interscalene block may be used to identify neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, the trickiest to diagnose. In this in-office procedure, a doctor injects a steroid or Botox into the muscles that go from the neck to the first rib, called the scalene muscles, to see if the patient has relief.
If symptoms persist, then surgery may be necessary. Stamford Health Thoracic Surgery Department is proud to offer the most cutting-edge surgical options for patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. Stamford Health Medical Group’s Dr. Benjamin Medina specializes in minimally invasive techniques for fewer complications and a quicker recovery.
In this procedure, a small camera and robotic instruments are inserted into the chest via small incisions to remove the first rib and cut the muscles causing compression. Patients are required to stay overnight for monitoring but generally can go home after. Physical therapy is usually recommended for the weeks following surgery, but most patients will feel almost immediate relief.
Keep reading to find out symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for thoracic outlet syndrome.
What Is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
The thoracic outlet is the area between your collarbone and first rib. It contains arteries, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles that go from your neck down your arm. If those nerves, blood vessels, or arteries are too cramped, they can become compressed. The symptoms depend on where the compression is, but they are all part of thoracic outlet syndrome.What Are The Types Of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, the most common of the group, occurs when the nerves are compressed.Venous thoracic outlet syndrome is typically caused by repetitive trauma to the veins and frequently occurs in swimmers and baseball pitchers.
Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome, the rarer type, happens when an artery is compressed.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Risk Factors And Symptoms
While each type of thoracic outlet syndrome has different symptoms, it usually strikes younger patients in their teens to 30s. Athletes who make repetitive motions with their arms (such as swimmers or pitchers) are more likely to be affected.Those with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome often have vague arm, shoulder, and neck discomfort that make it hard to diagnose. Patients usually have numbness and tingling in the arms and hands and may experience pain when raising the arm above the head.
Venous thoracic outlet syndrome causes swelling, numbness or tingling, and bluish discoloration. Some patients may have bulging veins in the neck, shoulders, or hands. A blood clot can occur because of the compression of the veins.
Symptoms of arterial thoracic outlet syndrome can include cold hands or pain. Similar to the venous version, some patients also have a blood clot due to the restriction of the blood flow in the artery.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Diagnosis
To identify thoracic outlet syndrome, your doctor may perform physical exams and diagnostic testing in addition to a complete medical history. Patients may undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify any compression in the area. Likewise, an ultrasound may be performed if a blood clot is suspected.An interscalene block may be used to identify neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, the trickiest to diagnose. In this in-office procedure, a doctor injects a steroid or Botox into the muscles that go from the neck to the first rib, called the scalene muscles, to see if the patient has relief.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Treatment
For treatment, physical therapy is generally recommended to strengthen the muscles around the thoracic outlet. This helps relieve the pressure on the nerves or blood vessels and can alleviate symptoms. Botox injections into the area can also offer pain relief.If symptoms persist, then surgery may be necessary. Stamford Health Thoracic Surgery Department is proud to offer the most cutting-edge surgical options for patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. Stamford Health Medical Group’s Dr. Benjamin Medina specializes in minimally invasive techniques for fewer complications and a quicker recovery.
In this procedure, a small camera and robotic instruments are inserted into the chest via small incisions to remove the first rib and cut the muscles causing compression. Patients are required to stay overnight for monitoring but generally can go home after. Physical therapy is usually recommended for the weeks following surgery, but most patients will feel almost immediate relief.