People with nonspecific-type thoracic outlet syndrome have chronic pain in the area of the thoracic outlet that worsens with activity, but a specific cause of the pain can’t be determined (5). Some doctors don’t believe it exists, while others say it’s a common disorder. This type is also called disputed thoracic outlet syndrome. Nonspecific-type thoracic outlet syndrome. Which can lead to extremity swelling, cyanosis (blue discoloring of the skin), and possibly deep venous thrombosis (blood clot in arm) (4). This type of thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when one or more of the veins (venous thoracic outlet syndrome) or arteries (arterial thoracic outlet syndrome) under the collarbone (clavicle) are compressed. Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS). It can be isolated to a single nerve or multiple nerves (3). This is considered the most common type of TOS, making up 95% of all cases. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that come from your spinal cord and control muscle movements and sensations in your shoulder, arm, and hand. This most common type of thoracic outlet syndrome is characterized by compression of the brachial plexus. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (nTOS). TOS is a group of symptoms in the chest, neck, shoulder, and arms and can be broken into 3 different types: 1. Like most syndromes, there is a variety from very mild cases to life-threatening. Pectoralis Minor Space – typically poor posture leads to chronic tightness of this muscle and muscle spasms that in turn compress the structures under the muscle. ![]() Costoclavicular Space – this narrow space can compress the nerves or blood vessels in several waysģ. Scalene triangle – Muscle spasms or chronically tight scalene muscles can compress the nerve plexus as the nerves travel through them.Ģ. ![]() There are 3 areas that can cause the compression (2).ġ. TOS symptoms are positional intermittent compression of the brachial plexus and/or subclavian blood vessels. Now that you know what the thoracic outlet is, what is thoracic outlet syndrome? What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)? Causes of the different Thoracic Outlet Syndrome These blood vessels (subclavian artery and vein) and nerves (brachial plexus) travel from the base of your neck to your arm pit (axilla) and is considered the “thoracic outlet” (1). The thoracic outlet is an area around the collar bone where the nerves that come from your neck meet up with the blood vessels from your heart and together supply the entire upper extremity (shoulder and arm). If you’ve had symptoms like numbness or tingling in your hands or arm, aches or pain in your shoulder or neck, a weakening grip, or the muscles in your hand shrinking, you may have been told you have thoracic outlet syndrome. New Treatment Option for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
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