Thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms night12/8/2023 How is thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosed?Īs with most clinical disorders, a diagnosis of TOS should be based largely on the clinical symptoms a patient experiences and the physical exam by a doctor. You may also experience a loss of dexterity and fine motor skills. This can include numbness, weakness (usually in the hand muscles), muscle wasting and muscle atrophy. If compression involves the nerves (brachial plexus), you may experience symptoms of a brachial plexopathy. If compression involves the vascular structures, you may even see skin discoloration (paleness, bluishness, or even redness) in addition to a cold sensation. The classic, most common symptoms are pain, numbness, and tingling that radiates below the shoulder down towards the hand and usually into the pinky and ring finger. Thoracic outlet syndrome can lead to a wide range of symptoms. What are the signs and symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome? Body position (such as poor posture or certain overhead activities) can also play a role in causing or contributing to symptoms. Hypermobility (looseness) of the either of the scapula (shoulder blade) or the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder can also create tension or traction on the nerves or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet region. It can also occur from a narrowing of the thoracic outlet space between the clavicle and chest wall or in the region where the nerves and blood vessels pass under muscles as they cross the shoulder. It may be the result of an extra rib (known as a cervical rib), hypertrophic (enlarged) muscle or scar tissue, or abnormality of muscles in the neck. The underlying cause of the compression itself can vary. TOS is caused by compression of arteries and/or veins (called "vascular thoracic outlet syndrome"), the nerves between the shoulder and neck, known as the brachial plexus (called "neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome") or a combination of the two. The area above and behind the clavicle (collarbone) from the neck to the shoulder forms an "outlet" through which blood vessels and nerves pass before they enter the arms to supply them with circulation (blood and oxygen) and sensation (pain and feeling). The term “thoracic outlet” comes from its location in the body. It commonly affects in one or both of the upper limbs (arms) and/or the hands, armpits, upper back, neck and pectoral area of the chest. Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a syndrome that can cause any combination of pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, sensation of coldness or, sometimes, a more general feeling of discomfort in portions of the upper body. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) What is thoracic outlet syndrome?
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