Thoracic Outlet syndrome is a difficult-to-diagnose disease with unusual findings. It occurs in the form of compression of the nerves and vessels branching in the arm, between the collar bones and the first rib at the end of the rib cage. We gathered the most critical points on thoracic outlet syndrome, which is three times more common in women than men.
What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
In thoracic outlet syndrome, there is too much pressure on the blood vessels and nerves in the upper part of the chest. Accordingly, a series of symptoms develop in the shoulders, arms, and hands. The thoracic outlet is the name given to the space between the 1st rib and the collarbone.
Stenosis may occur in the region due to various traumas, genetic factors, and developmental differences. In this case, excessive pressure on the nerves and blood vessels passes through the area, and problems such as numbness and pain occur in the arm, shoulder, or wrist on the affected side.
The thoracic outlet is a syndrome that can occur at any age and may develop with repetitive movements that force the arm and shoulder activity, such as volleyball, swimming, and tennis. For this reason, it is observed more commonly in athletes than in others. In addition, it is more likely to occur in women than in men.
What are the Causes of Thoracic Outlet syndrome?
Conditions that cause thoracic outlet syndrome and excessive pressure in the region can be listed as follows:
- Collarbone, rib, or neck trauma
- Repetitive movements, such as using a mouse for a long time and typing
- Professional sports such as tennis, golf, volleyball, swimming
- Sleeping disorders
- Posture impairments
- Back Trauma
- Tumors involving lymph nodes in the armpit and upper chest area
What Are the Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet?
most common finding in thoracic outlet syndrome is; pain or numbness in the shoulders, hands, arms, and fingers. In addition, the following symptoms:
- Weakness in arm, neck, and hand
- Arm pain and swelling
- Neck pain
- Hand grip weakness
- Cyanosis
- Limitation of movement
- Sensory loss
In thoracic outlet syndrome, coldness, numbness, and pain occur in the arm, especially in the movement known as raising the arms or “soldier pose.” One of the possible complications of this syndrome is thromboembolism.
In this complication, deterioration occurs in the winter when prone to coagulation—arm veins where these clots can travel up to the lungs, causing lung-related symptoms.
Treatment Methods
People who show one or more thoracic outlet signs should consult a specialist doctor as soon as possible. In this way, the symptoms are controlled.
In treating the disease, first, special tests and imaging techniques determine the diagnosis. After we find the cause of the disease with detailed examinations, treatment is initiated.
In thoracic outlet syndrome, it is essential to change the lifestyle for treatment. These changes accelerate the treatment process and come with recommendations such as losing excess weight, gaining healthy eating and sports habits, quitting smoking, avoiding movements that force the shoulder and arm region, and correcting posture disorders.
In addition, using painkillers and muscle relaxants and starting the physical therapy process is also essential in the treatment.
Surgical intervention is considered to relieve muscle weakness and nerve damage in patients who do not recover from such life changes. When general health condition is excellent for general anesthesia, we lose the bands in the region and relieve the nerves by surgery.
For this, we need to remove the 1st rib. In thoracic outlet surgery, a small incision is made under the armpit or above the collarbone. This procedure is rapid and easy.