Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Support Group

I had a ultrasound where they used special blood pressure cuffs and different arm positions to study blood flow to my arm and I also had an arteriogram. I also could lift my arm straight out and i did not have a radial pulse. I had arterial tos.

there is a simple test, I can't think of it's name, but my hand specialist had me lift my arms straight out. He then checked my pulse. I didn't even have one! I had NO blood flow to my hands! He said I had TOS and sent me to a vascular surgeon who immediately confirmed that it was TOS and within a week I had my rib removed. The recovery was only about 6 weeks and I felt like a new person!
Finding a dr who is familiar with TOS is hard. I had carpal surgery which I didn't need, sent to shrink, you name it. I was lucky in finding the right dr.
Good luck

To first answer your question there are many tests, chest x-ray, mri,nerve conduction test, etc. Be very careful before agreeing to surgery! Not all rib resections go so well as Rayne9's. I'm six weeks in and am certainly not better. I have no feeling in my upper arm, my breast is still swollen and painful, my elbow is in pain as is my chest and back where the rib was removed. One of the nurses told me that this is one of the most painful surgeries. The pain meds are pretty serious too, oxycodone, endocet, hydrocodone and when your feeling a bit better, tramadol. I still am taking tramadol and very much need it. The pain is not fun. Some people take up to a year to heal and good tos surgeon will tell you at least 3 months. Rayne9 you are very lucky!You have to worry about scar tissue build up and if its bad...another surgery.
Check out this website and read as many posts as you can before deciding anything
http://www.myhealthboard.org
Good luck!
Kathy

Another thing with surgery... sometimes TOS isn't because of an extra rib. I have it and I simply have a smaller Thorasic area... MRIs, XRays, and nerve tests (like Kathymom said) are important to have done. A neurologist would probably be the one to diagnose you... that is who diagnosed me

I got a simple CAT scan for shoulder pain I'd been having, and my primary care doctor read the results and said it was thoracic outlet syndrome. I had read up on TOS (sometimes get paranoid about health -- what can i say?) so I knew I had several of the symptoms. He said my next step is to see if it really alters my lifestyle and if so, see a thoracic specialist. So far, it hasn't altered my life, but the pains and numbness are pretty annoying.

I have just been diagnosed with TOC but caused by muscle tightness making the rib come up and block nerves etc, i also have nerve entrapment at the elbow and now i have been told i have carpal tunnel,all on my left side i have also suffered from neurelgia in my face ear etc on occasions, all of which i have been told are due to a neck and shoulder injury, a bulge at C6 C7 , this has taken almost 5 months for a diagnose, TOC is also hereditary my brother has had the surgery and is now back seeing neuro due to arm symptoms back worse than ever.