Thoracic outlet syndrome

Introduction: Thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome: Thoracic outlet syndrome consists of symptoms caused by compression of the nerves in the brachial plexus (nerves that pass into the arms from the neck) or blood ... more about Thoracic outlet syndrome.

Thoracic outlet syndrome: Pinched shoulder/arm nerve. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Thoracic outlet syndrome is available below.

Symptoms of Thoracic outlet syndrome

• Shoulder pain
• Arm pain
• Hand pain
• Finger pain
• Pain in 4th and 5th fingers

See full list of 7 symptoms of Thoracic outlet syndrome

Medical Textbooks Online about Thoracic outlet syndrome

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Wrongly Diagnosed with Thoracic outlet syndrome?

• Misdiagnosis of Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Underlying causes of Thoracic outlet syndrome (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Causes of Thoracic outlet syndrome

• Postural abnormalities
• Physical abnormalities (see Deformity symptoms)

Read more about causes of Thoracic outlet syndrome

More information about causes of Thoracic outlet syndrome:

• Underlying causes of Thoracic outlet syndrome

Treatments for Thoracic outlet syndrome

• Improve posture
• Shoulder strengthening exercises

Read more about treatments for Thoracic outlet syndrome

Videos for Thoracic outlet syndrome

Patient Surveys for Thoracic outlet syndrome

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about the symptoms of your Thoracic outlet syndrome
  Take Survey  View Results

Prognosis for Thoracic outlet syndrome

Prognosis for Thoracic outlet syndrome: Good. Most patients recover with treatment and time.

More about prognosis of Thoracic outlet syndrome

Stories from Users Related to Thoracic outlet syndrome

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• thoracic outlet syndrome ?????
• Thoracic outlet syndrone Q. Chest pain/numbness
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Fainting With Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Thoracic outet syndrone... Can this cause digestion probs???please help

Related forums and stories:

• Elbow Conditions (8)
  • elbow pain due to fall
  • elbow fluid
  • Green elbow skin
  • elbow pain
  • ouch
  • More user stories
• Hand Conditions (60)
  • Numbness in hand after waking up from sleep.
  • wrist pain
  • Painful Lump in the Palm
  • Red flushed hands.
  • Carpal Tunnel Surgery results
  • More user stories
• Arm Conditions (23)
  • Love to talk to others about TOS
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  • Radial Tunnel Sydrome
  • Treatment for broken elbow!?
  • Red Itchy Lumps On Arms/Neck/Chest/ And Itchy Legs
  • More user stories

User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Thoracic outlet syndrome, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome consists of symptoms caused by compression of the nerves in the brachial plexus (nerves that pass into the arms from the neck) or blood vessels. Patients may have pain in the shoulder, arm, or hand, or in all three locations. The hand pain is often most severe in the fourth and fifth fingers. The pain is aggravated by the use of the arm, and "fatigue" of the arm is often prominent. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Information Page: NINDS)

Definitions of Thoracic outlet syndrome:

A neurovascular syndrome associated with compression of the BRACHIAL PLEXUS; SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY; and SUBCLAVIAN VEIN at the superior thoracic outlet. This may result from a variety of anomalies such as a cervical rib (CERVICAL RIB SYNDROME), anomalous fascial bands, and abnormalities of the origin or insertion of the anterior or medial scalene muscles. Clinical features may include pain in the shoulder and neck region which radiates into the arm, PARESIS or PARALYSIS of brachial plexus innervated muscles, PARESTHESIA, loss of sensation, reduction of arterial pulses in the affected extremity, ISCHEMIA, and EDEMA. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp214-5). - (Source - Diseases Database)

Tingling sensations in the fingers; caused by compression on a nerve supplying the arm - (Source - WordNet 2.1)