Question 1

what is recovery like after surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Piece of cake --: it will be ok -- if your doctor told you you needed the surgery then get it done and you will find relief of symptoms pain and numbness of your upper limb immediately

Question 2

is the recovery from the neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome surgery hard?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: You should definitely do some physical therapy. Sometimes the nerve discomfort may take some time to resolve. In rare cases it may persist.

Question 3

is surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome curative?

Accepted Answer

Type of TOS?: Patients with cervical rib, arterial TOS, or Venous TOS may require surgery. Only about 10-15% of patients with symptomatic TOS come to surgery. Success rate somewhere in the 90% range for appropriately chosen patients. Most patients respond to therapy and/or medications.

Question 4

how major is surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Yes: I think any surgery is major and when it comes to thoracic outlet syndrome, surgery is not common and is typically last resort as they try physical therapy and other modalities first, but there are many causes of thoracic outlet syndrome so it depends on what is obstructing that needs to be moved or repaired or removed.  Ask your vascular surgeon for specifics on your case.

Question 5

is surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome unreliable?

Accepted Answer

TOS: TOS is combinations of many problems in a complex anatomic location. There are so simple diagnostics or solutions. If properly diagnosed, AND non surgical therapies like PT fail to improve the symptoms, then surgery with an experienced TOS surgeon can be both therapeutic and reliable. Take friend with you to appointments and therapy.  Be well.

Question 6

is thoracic outlet syndrome surgery a major surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It usually involves first and/or cervical rib resection.  What makes the surgery major at this point is extent of nerve or vascular compression that patient presents with that will determine further surgical approaches.

Question 7

how risky is surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Somewhat: Risks include:
injury to arteries and veins
injury to the nerve
failure to accomplish goals of therapy
pain.

Question 8

can surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome make you worse?

Accepted Answer

Tos: You should ask benefits vs risks to the surgeon.  This is not a minor surgery and yes I have seen failed surgery with increased problems. U should be absolutely sure what u are undergoing this surgery fot

Question 9

can surgery actually make thoracic outlet syndrome worse?

Accepted Answer

Yes: THis is usually true when it involves nerve compression rather than compression of blood vessels. Nerves can be damaged during surgery or scarring can compress nerves. This can happen in a small but real minority of persons.

Question 10

what is the prognosis of thoracic outlet syndrome surgery?

Accepted Answer

Good but: usually surgery is the last thing you want to do for thoracic outlet syndrome because it is simple surgery but it could end up with an open chest and tubes in the chest and the recovery take a long time but the result are usually good if you need one get a second opinion and get done by a thoracic surgeon good luck

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Doctor answers about:

Thoracic outlet surgery recovery

A member asked:

What is recovery like after surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome?

A member asked:

Is the recovery from the neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome surgery hard?

A member asked:

Is surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome curative?

A member asked:

How major is surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome?

A member asked:

Is surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome unreliable?

A member asked:

Is thoracic outlet syndrome surgery a major surgery?

A member asked:

How risky is surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome?

A member asked:

Can surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome make you worse?

A member asked:

Can surgery actually make thoracic outlet syndrome worse?

A member asked:

What is the prognosis of thoracic outlet syndrome surgery?

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