Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Quiz

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Reviewed By:

Kent C Doan, MD

Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)

Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.

Yoshinori Abe, MD

Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)

Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.

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Content updated on Jan 19, 2024

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How Ubie Can Help You

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.

  • Trained and reviewed by 50+ doctors, our AI Symptom Checker utilizes data from 1,500+ medical centers

  • Questions are customized to your situation and symptoms

  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome as well as similar diseases can be checked at the same time.

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✔︎  When to see a doctor

✔︎  What causes your symptoms

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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

  • Hand numbness

  • Numbness

  • Numbness in the fingers

  • Hand tingling

  • The fingers of both hands are numb

  • Finger numbness

  • Off balance

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What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Compression of nerves and/or blood vessels at the base of the neck, causing symptoms like arm numbness. Symptoms worsen or occur when arms are raised, as this action increases pressure in the base of the neck. Causes include tumors, increased muscle or fat in the region, and abnormal ribs at the top of the ribcage.

Typical Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

  • Numbness in the region from shoulder to elbow

  • Numbness anywhere from the elbow to the wrist

  • Numbness of the fingers

  • Numbness or abnormal sensation

  • Arm numbness

  • Pain in the arms and/or legs

  • Shoulder pain

  • Headache

Doctor's Diagnostic Questionson Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:

  • Do you have numbness from shoulder to elbow?

  • Do you have numbness in your arm?

  • Do you have wrist numbness?

  • Do you feel any numbness or altered sensation?

  • Are your arms numb?

Treatmentof Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Treatment depends on the cause. Symptoms can be managed with physical therapy and activity modification, but surgery is sometimes indicated to treat the cause. This is often diagnosed in overhead athletes or workers, and can result in decreased performance or activity related symptoms.

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View the symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

References

  • Collins E, Orpin M. Physical Therapy Management of Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Thorac Surg Clin. 2021 Feb;31(1):61-69. doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2020.09.003. PMID: 33220772.

    https://www.thoracic.theclinics.com/article/S1547-4127(20)30077-3/fulltext

  • Kuhn JE, Lebus V GF, Bible JE. Thoracic outlet syndrome. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015 Apr;23(4):222-32. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-13-00215. PMID: 25808686.

    https://journals.lww.com/jaaos/Fulltext/2015/04000/Thoracic_Outlet_Syndrome.4.aspx

  • Vanti C, Natalini L, Romeo A, Tosarelli D, Pillastrini P. Conservative treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome. A review of the literature. Eura Medicophys. 2007 Mar;43(1):55-70. Epub 2006 Sep 24. PMID: 16955064.

    https://www.minervamedica.it/en/journals/europa-medicophysica/article.php?cod=R33Y2007N01A0055

User Testimonials

Reviewed By:

Kent C Doan, MD

Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)

Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.

Yoshinori Abe, MD

Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)

Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.

From our team of 50+ doctors

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