Could TOS casue these symptoms?

I have recently been DX'ed with a " Bifid rib" possibly causing thoracic outlet syndrome. For the last year I have suffered from numn and tingling hands and feet- all test have been clear
(MRI's, EMG,bloodwork, nerve conduction,evoked potentials, etc.)
Could a thoracic rib on my left shoulder slow down my circulation enough to affect not only my left arm but both hands and feet? I willl not see a specialist for several weeks.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Anna:

There are two types of TOS, a vascular type and neurogenic type.  If you had the neurogenic variety, you would have seen muscle atrophy in your hand by now.  The EMG would be abnormal.  So, you do not have this form of TOS.  You had the vascular type, there should be some vascular changes, such as cynanosis of the extremity, lack of pulses in the affected extremity when the arm is positioned a certain way.  So, it doesn't sound like you have the vascular type either.  The TOS syndrome would also not affect your feet.  So, there must be something else occurring to give you the symptoms you describe.  Once a good physical exam is performed and some basic lab work, hopefully your physician will have a direction to lead you toward.  I hope that it is something simple to fix.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Sam]

http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro&BypassCookie=true

Anna, go to this site its free to register, then go the Thoracic Outlet Site.
The people are wonderful and very knowlegable.
Its the one of the best TOS info places to go on the web!

[dimarie]

Anna,
If you are speaking of a cervical rib or deformed rib on your left side this is an additional type of compression that causes neurogenic TOS symptoms.

This is a very difficult to diagnosis problem. The test more than likely will be negative ruling out other medical problems. But a doctor knowlegable in TOS can diffenatly be a plus but a rareity.

Do a search on the web for Thoracic Outlet forum .Mass. General Hospital has a great support site and very informative.

Best of luck
Dianne