Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a cluster of symptoms that may result in severe pain and dysfunction in the affected shoulder and arm. Your thoracic outlet is the space between your collarbone or clavicle and your first rib. There are a lot of blood vessels and nerves running through that area, and if there is chronic pressure on those vessels or nerves, it causes the symptoms known as TOS.

The compression that causes TOS can be caused by injury, disease, or a congenital deformity. Some people are born with an extra rib or with a tight abnormal fibrous band of tissue connecting a vertebra to the rib. The syndrome can also be related to an abnormality of the vertebral body itself. If you have a long neck with droopy shoulders, that can put more pressure on this area as well.

Some sources have a more specific definition of TOS than others. Neurologically speaking, this is a rare syndrome that causes muscle wasting and weakness of the hand, most often related to an abnormal seventh cervical (neck) vertebrae. This stretches the nerves in the area, causing parasthesias such as numbness and tingling along with weakness in the last two fingers. However, for general purposes, symptoms caused by pressure on the blood vessels in the same area are also referred to as TOS.

The most common symptoms of TOS may include:

• Pain, numbness, and tingling in the last three fingers and inner forearm
• Pain and tingling in the neck and shoulders (carrying something heavy may make the pain worse)
• Signs of poor circulation in the hand or forearm
• Weakness of the muscles in the hand
• Clumsy hand movements
• Cold weather sometimes worsens symptoms

Testing usually involves X-ray and MRI, electromyography and nerve conduction velocity studies. These tests help locate structures that may be causing pressure, measure nerve function, and rule out other conditions such as carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndrome.

Treatment starts with physical therapy. This is often enough, especially if nerve damage is not too severe. The focus will be on strengthening the shoulders, improving range of motion, and working on posture. Posture can make a big difference in symptoms.

If physical therapy and pain management are not successful, you may need surgery. The goal of surgery is to take pressure off of the nerves and blood vessels. This may not restore sensation, but it will prevent further nerve damage. Sometimes surgery involves removing a rib, but it depends on exactly what is causing the problem.

Sources:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00336
Bader, M.K., Littlejohns, L.R. (2004). American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Core Curriculum for Neuroscience Nursing, 4th Ed. St. Louis, MO.: Elsevier.
Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001434.htm
Warfield, C.A., Fausett, H.J. (2002). Manual of Pain Management, 2nd Ed. Philadelphia, PA.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.