Is thoracic outlet syndrome surgery worth it?
With judicious patient selection and proper patient adherence to physical therapy and movement restrictions until pain is resolved, surgical treatment of TOS can lead to improvement in about 80 percent of patients.
How long does it take to recover from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery?
Recovery: Most patients will feel some level of discomfort/pain as they recover from surgery for at least 1-2 weeks. Return to activity: Patients often to return to light activity in seven to 10 days.
Can you fix thoracic outlet syndrome without surgery?
Treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome usually involves physical therapy and pain relief measures. Most people improve with these treatments. In some cases, however, your doctor may recommend surgery.
What is the success rate of TOS surgery?
Excellent and good results following different operations for TOS are close to 80%, using simple statistics, where results included many patients followed up for only a few months. Using life-table methods, the success rate is 6% to 9% less, close to 70%, at 5 years.
Can TOS come back after surgery?
Recurrent symptoms develop in 15% to 20% of patients undergoing either first rib resection or scalenectomy for thoracic outlet syndrome. Over the past 22 years 134 operations for recurrence were performed in 97 patients.
How serious is thoracic outlet syndrome?
Is thoracic outlet syndrome serious? Although many cases of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) can’t be prevented, the condition is treatable. If left untreated, TOS can cause complications, such as: Permanent arm swelling and pain (especially in patients with venous TOS)
Is TOS surgery risky?
Complications of TOS surgery include the recurrence of symptoms, brachial plexus, phrenic nerve, long thoracic nerve, complete or transient paralysis, subclavian artery and vein injuries, axillary artery thrombosis, hemothorax, pneumothorax, chylothorax, permanent damage to the brachial plexus, severe sequelae such as …
How long does TOS surgery take?
The surgeon cuts and removes the extra rib and closes the incision with stitches, which dissolve in a few weeks. This surgery takes about two hours to complete and requires a one- to three-day stay in the hospital. Recovery can take several weeks, during which your doctor may recommend restricting activities.
Can TOS be fatal?
While thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is not life-threatening, it can lead to disability and complications if left untreated.
Do you wear a sling after TOS surgery?
Caring for your wound after surgery: You may have a pressure bandage to decrease swelling. You may need to use an arm sling for a while after surgery.
Is TOS life-threatening?
Many health conditions can cause pain, tingling, or numbness in your neck, chest, arms, and hands, from minor muscle strains to a serious problem like a heart attack. While thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is not life-threatening, it can lead to disability and complications if left untreated.
Can thoracic outlet syndrome come back after surgery?
Can TOS cause permanent damage?
If left untreated, TOS can cause complications, such as: permanent nerve damage and other neurological complications. permanent arm swelling and pain, especially in patients with venous TOS.
Can thoracic outlet syndrome be life-threatening?
Venous thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by the compression of a subclavian vein, which carries blood from the upper extremities—including the shoulders, arms, and hands—to the heart. This compression can lead to blood clots, which can travel to the heart and lungs and be life-threatening.