The three main types of thoracic outlet syndrome are neurogenic, venous, and arterial TOS. Each type of HRT is slightly different, with causes and treatment options varying slightly for each.
1. Neurogenic type: This is the most common form of TOS. It occurs when the nerves of the brachial plexus are compressed. Many patients respond well to conservative treatment. Symptoms of neurogenic TOS include:
a. neck, shoulder and arm pain
b. heachache
c. numbness, tingling or weakness in your arm or hand
d. pain in the arm or shoulder when reaching, lifting, throwing, or catching objects
e. cold hands and cold intolerance
2. Venous type: This condition develops when the subclavian vein is compressed between the clavicle and the first rib. A blood clot will form in the compressed vein, causing swelling, discoloration, numbness and pain in the arm. This syndrome is also known as Paget-Schroetter disease.
It is not as common as neurogenic TOS, but it is one of the most common vascular disorders in competitive athletes and should be treated quickly to avoid worsening of symptoms.
3. Arterial type: This is the rarest form of TOS, affecting only about 5% of all TOS patients. Arterial TOS occurs when the subclavian artery is compressed. This can lead to aneurysms and blood clotting. The symptoms of arterial TOS include:
a. pain in the hand
b. sensation of cold, paleness and tingling in the hands
c. chronic arm weakness and cramps during use
These three types of thoracic outlet syndrome may have similar symptoms, but getting the correct diagnosis can lead to further treatment recommendations and a quicker recovery.
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath expert in Osteopathy applied to voice and speech disorders since 2002. For information and reservations visit the page Contacts
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