Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) Treatment Doctors in Brooklyn, NYC & NJ

What Is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) occurs when the nerves, arteries or veins in the space between the neck and shoulder are compressed. The space is called the thoracic outlet. This condition causes pain in the shoulder area and weakness in the affected limb. TOS can have serious complications and long-term effects if left untreated, such as nerve damage, blood clots, aneurysms and tissue death.

Dr. Dmitriy Dvoskin is affiliated with Neuro Injury Specialists, where the best thoracic outlet syndrome doctors in New York City and New Jersey offer the latest and most advanced treatments for nerve and pain disorders. This pain management and rehabilitation specialist has effective thoracic outlet syndrome treatments. You get interventional pain techniques, comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation programs to restore your health.

What Are the Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

TOS symptoms affect your upper body, especially the neck, shoulder, arm and hand. The symptoms may be worse when you lift your arms, turn your head or perform certain activities. Some of the symptoms of TOS mimic other conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

TOS causes pain in the affected area, which may be sharp, dull, aching or throbbing. It may radiate to the chest, back, head or fingers. You may also feel tingling, numbness, pins and needles or cold sensations in the arm, hand or fingers.

Other signs caused by neuropathy in the hands include:

• Loss of sensation or reduced sensitivity to touch or temperature
• Weakness, fatigue, heaviness or clumsiness in the affected arm, hand or fingers so you have difficulty gripping, holding or lifting objects, a condition that may lead to muscle atrophy
• Swelling, redness, warmth or blueness in the arm, hand or fingers that appears with prominent veins or bulging arteries in the affected area
• Skin color changes, such as paleness, cyanosis, which is a bluish discoloration or erythema, which is redness in the arm, hand or fingers, as well as skin ulcers, blisters or gangrene in severe cases
• Reduced or absent pulse, blood pressure or temperature in the affected arm, hand or fingers, including difficulty feeling the pulse or measuring the blood pressure in the affected area

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Untreated TOS?

Thoracic outlet syndrome can have severe complications and long-term effects if left untreated, including loss of limbs. TOS affects the blood flow and oxygen supply to the arm and hand, leading to coldness, paleness and tissue death.

In addition to chronic pain, you might also experience a severe interruption in your productivity when your hands are put out of commission.

Thoracic outlet syndrome doctors also warn of other possible consequences of untreated TOS, including:

• Permanent nerve damage and other neurological complications. This can impair your ability to perform daily activities, work and enjoy life. In some cases, nerve damage can be irreversible and cause permanent disability.
• Permanent arm swelling and pain, especially if you develop venous TOS. This also increases the risk of infection and skin ulcers. The swelling and pain become persistent and difficult to treat.
• Pulmonary embolism. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath and coughing up blood. Sudden death can happen if these clots get to the heart and cause a pulmonary embolism.

What Treatments Can I Get from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Doctors Near Me?

Neuro Injury Specialists have a combination of effective thoracic outlet syndrome treatments including medication, physical therapy and surgery in some serious cases. The treatment also depends on the type of TOS and the structures that are compressed.

The effectiveness of the treatments for TOS varies from person to person, depending on the type, cause and severity of the condition.

Thoracic outlet syndrome doctors can recommend one or a combination of treatments, such as:

• Physical therapy. This is the first-line treatment for most cases of neurogenic TOS. It involves exercises and stretches that aim to improve the posture, strength and flexibility of the neck, shoulder and chest muscles. It can also relieve pain, inflammation and muscle spasms. It may take several weeks or months to show results, but it can be very effective in reducing symptoms and preventing recurrences.
• Medications. These include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and nerve medications. They help manage the symptoms of TOS such as pain and tingling.
• This is the last resort treatment for TOS and is usually reserved for cases that don’t respond to conservative treatments or that involve severe compression of the blood vessels. It involves removing the source of the compression, such as an extra rib, an abnormal first rib, scar tissue or a tumor. It’s also done to repair any damage to the nerves or blood vessels, such as a blood clot, an aneurysm or a nerve injury. It can be very effective in restoring the normal function and blood flow of the affected area.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a debilitating disorder that can also become life-threatening if left untreated. It can leave lifelong effects that lower quality of life, so it should receive prompt medical attention as soon as possible. Contact Neuro Injury Specialists in New York and New Jersey to provide the required treatment and rehabilitation programs for TOS and other pain and nerve disorders.