physical therapy exercises for thoracic outlet syndrome

We recommend that if you are experiencing these symptoms you pop in for an evaluation. What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and do I have it?Īre you experiencing pain throughout your neck and shoulders? Does this pain radiate a numbness and tingling sensation down into your arm or hand? If so, you may have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Accessed July 28, 2023.Chief Executive Officer, Orthopedic & Vestibular Physical Therapist In: Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. Brachial plexus nerve entrapments and thoracic outlet syndromes. Considerations for surgical treatment of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome: A meta-analysis of patient-reported outcomes. Thoracic outlet compression syndromes (TOC).American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Thoracic outlet syndrome part 2: Consensus on the management of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies' Section of Peripheral Nerve Surgery. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Thoracic outlet syndrome part 1: Systematic review of the literature and consensus on anatomy, diagnosis and classification of thoracic outlet syndrome by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies' Section of Peripheral Nerve Surgery. Stretch daily, and do exercises that keep your shoulder muscles strong and flexible.ĭaily stretches focusing on the chest, neck and shoulders can help improve shoulder muscle strength and prevent thoracic outlet syndrome. This can increase pressure on the thoracic outlet. If you're overweight, losing weight may help you prevent or relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.Įven if you don't have symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, avoid carrying heavy bags over your shoulder. If you're at risk of thoracic outlet compression, avoid repetitive movements and lifting heavy objects. If symptoms don't improve, it is important to seek medical attention for an evaluation and testing. Neurogenic TOS can be confused for other joint or muscle injuries.

You may need treatment for blood clots or an aneurysm.įor neurogenic TOS, repetitive nerve compression can result in long-term injury resulting in chronic pain or disability. If you have swelling or a painful discoloration in the arm, it is important to seek urgent medical attention. Thoracic outlet syndrome may occur at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20 and 50.Ĭomplications from this condition stem from the type of thoracic outlet syndrome. Women are more than three times more likely to be diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome than are men. There are several factors that seem to increase the risk of thoracic outlet syndrome, including: The onset of symptoms related to a traumatic accident often is delayed. A traumatic event, such as a car accident, can cause internal changes that then compress the nerves in the thoracic outlet. Drooping your shoulders or holding your head in a forward position can cause compression in the thoracic outlet area. There also may be a tight fibrous band connecting the spine to the rib that causes compression. The extra rib, known as a cervical rib, can compress nerves or blood vessels. Some people are born with an extra rib in the neck found above the first rib. The cause of the compression varies and can include: Thoracic outlet syndrome is often caused by compression of the nerves or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet, the area between the neck and shoulder. See your healthcare professional if you regularly experience any of the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. A change in color in one or more of the fingers or the entire hand.Symptoms of arterial thoracic outlet syndrome can include:

A change in the color of the hand or one or more fingers.Symptoms of venous thoracic outlet syndrome can include: Pain or aches in the neck, shoulder, arm or hand.Numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers.

When nerves are compressed, symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome include: Thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms can vary depending on the type. The compression may cause injury to the artery resulting in a bulge, known as an aneurysm, or blood clot formation. It occurs when one of the arteries under the collarbone is compressed. This type of thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when one or more of the veins under the collarbone are compressed and damaged. The nerves control muscle movements and feeling in the shoulder, arm and hand. The nerves of the brachial plexus come from the spinal cord. In this type, a group of nerves called the brachial plexus is compressed. This is the most common type of thoracic outlet syndrome. There are three types of thoracic outlet syndrome:

Physical therapy exercises for thoracic outlet syndrome