Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is often misdiagnosed in car collision victims by many healthcare practitioners because Thoracic Outlet is perceived and described as numbness, tingling and or soreness in the shoulders, arms or fingers.
There is also a blood flow component to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. That may or may not be present. Typically blood flow problems result in discoloration of part of or all of the arms on your affected side.
In a true Thoracic Outlet syndrome your spinal nerves and sometimes your blood vessels are trapped between the clavicle bone and your first rib and the connective tissues between those two structures. This space is tight and trauma to the neck may cause symptoms but this is not a typically traumatically caused by an auto accident. However many times whiplash is misdiagnosed as TOS.
The neck is complicated and complex structure, which makes it difficult to identify the exact origin of your pain and the difference of diagnosing TOS and whiplash can be the difference of your neck injuries healing correctly. Although it is possible to have a TOS following a traumatic incident such as a car collision it is more likely that the pain and symptoms are underlying at a deeper level and the injury and insult is of the spinal facet (joints) and their protective coverings called joint capsules in addition to irritated spinal nerve roots.
So the biggest point of contention concerning acceleration-deceleration (whiplash) injury and Thoracic outlet syndrome is the proper treatment of each condition. My point being if you have a true TOS then treatment to the space between the clavicle and the first rib would be the most advantageous whereas this would not help a true acceleration-deceleration (whiplash) injury.
If you’ve been in an auto collision and have signs of or been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, we are here to help. We can help identify the correct root source of your problem and formulate a plan of action to help you reclaim your health.
Call our office today at (602) 456-7252 for a free no cost no obligation consultation.