Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) causes pain in the shoulder, arm and neck. It happens when the nerves or blood vessels just below the neck are compressed — between the neck and shoulder muscles, or between the first rib and the collarbone.
Symptoms
- burning, tingling and numbness along the arm, hand and fingers;
- if a nerve is compressed: weakness in the hand;
- if a vein is compressed: a hand that is sensitive to cold or turns pale or bluish, and an arm that may swell and tire easily.
Who gets it
TOS is more common in women and usually begins between ages 20 and 50. Doctors diagnose it with nerve and imaging studies.
Causes
- injury
- anatomical defects
- tumors pressing on nerves
- poor posture that compresses nerves
- pregnancy
- repetitive arm and shoulder movement, as in certain sports
Treatment
It depends on the cause. Medicines, physical therapy and relaxation may help, and surgery is sometimes an option. Most people recover.
Sources
Based on "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
许可协议： CC0 1.0（公有领域） · 改编自 medlineplus.gov
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