Would I have rib resection surgery again - ??

Maybe.
I would seek a second opinon from someone who removes the cervical rib...especially since my daughters first rib grew back-entirely, and all wonky, and all three of us had pretty much the exact same surgery and have had symptoms return.

The specific physical therapy I've had this past year has been so helpful that I think If I'd had good p.t. 5 years ago (with someone specializing in neck trauma who knows TOS) I probably would not have had the surgery.

Because for me, with surgery-which was somewhat helpful, I also now have new complications-mostly from the missing neck muscle taken with the first rib.
So if I'd had good p.t years ago, instead of bad p.t...then maybe no, I would not have had surgery to have my first rib removed through my armpit.
To be clear, all three of us are thankful for the surgeon who did our resections. At the time, surgery was our best hope. We didn't know any different, didn't know of any options, and it did improve things, somewhat.,.for a while.

The journey with TOS goes on.

Fellow TOSers, Don't hang in there, & Gentle hugs~

Cervical Ribs-Do they always cause TOS?

Since my son, daughter, and I were diagnosed with cervical ribs and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, I have read statements regarding cervical ribs rarely causing problems that made me question their validity in light of my own experience.

Statements like: From the UCLA Vascular Surgery website-
"Some people are born with an extra rib called a "cervical rib". Although most often this causes no particular problem..." 

Or this statement from The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-
"It is estimated that only 10 per cent of cervical ribs cause symptoms."

Reading statements like those causes my one eye to squint as I mutter "yeah, right", sarcastically.
It's tough for me to swallow that's the truth when three out of three in my family with cervical ribs have developed TOS.

But then I got to thinking...

It's true that for most of my own life, I didn't even know I had cervical ribs, not until my early thirties, and I lived just fine.
I had no arm pain. I participated in sports. The cervical ribs were there but caused no problems for me.
Some neck issues started in early adulthood, and then a car accident several years ago, and I've not been the same since.

I've read that TOS can develop in previously normally functioning people after a traumatic event such as an accident or a fall.

For my kids, they were also born with cervical ribs but we had no idea. They were normal kids and rode bikes, were active and had no symptoms...until puberty kicked in and they each went through a growth spurt around age 13/14. Then their arms started aching just from walking around. We went to the doctor and learned about the ribs and TOS.

I have experienced living with cervical ribs and having no problems, the first 19 years of my life.
I've also experienced painful physical issues that have developed because of them.

Recently it has been hard for me to believe people with cervical ribs do not have pain or function issues. I think living with chronic pain makes you forget what it was like to not have the pain.

But looking back, I see that my kids and I all lived just fine, for a time, with our extra ribs.
And then we didn't, which began our journey with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

So when someone asks me if having cervical ribs always means you have or will develop Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, I say, I'm no medical expert, but I've read that not everyone does. Three out of three in our family have, but lots of people don't have problems with their cervical ribs...so I'm told.

So how are things? Four years later...

I'm so glad I've kept this record of what it was like for me to go through rib resection and healing postop. My four year resection anniversary had me going back to refresh my memory of what I was feeling and experiencing at this time four years ago.
*See new, 4 year postop, pictures at the end of this post. To compare, see postop pictures from 2009 here.

It's interesting to go back and re-read posts from that healing phase. I remember it well.

Truth is, four years after right sided rib resection, I feel a bit stuck in that healing phase...in my mind and emotions. Having rib bone and muscle cut out of my body was dramatic and left me with emotions I am still working on getting past.

The initial healing phase postop was brutal for me because of my nature. I am a very sensitive, type 2 person, always picking up other peoples vibes. I have even been called "touchy".
When I am in pain, my nerves are already on total overload, so any talking, touching, loud noise or movement feels very jarring and abrasive to me. Just ask my husband about trying to comfort me years ago while I was in labor, poor guy. He wanted to help and each time he started rubbing my back I would hiss at him- "Don't touch me!"

However, healing takes time, that cannot be overstated-especially after rib resection surgery where nerves are stretched, things are removed and muscle rearranged. No one can expect to remain still and undisturbed for that extended healing period. I remember feeling so incredibly frazzled all the time after surgery.
Other folks with different natures probably do not experience the same emotional postop healing issues and would take my comments here as overly dramatic. In my experience (and that is what I share here on my blog) that postop phase was traumatic- in fact my psyche has still not recovered. 
Thus, the left sided resection that was recommended, that I realize would spare me from some of the left sided TOS issues I deal with, well it's just too hard for me to fathom signing up for more trauma.

Having said that, my current state is- not too bad.

The long red hair is shorter now. It had to go, too much weight for my TOS neck.

I had additional surgery two years after resection that improved more of my TOS symptoms.

I currently go for ABM (Anat Baniel Method-a type of Feldenkrais) sessions once every two weeks. The mind/body education and gentle movement of this therapy are teaching me how to organize my movements to lessen the stress on my neck, shoulders and upper body. Through this therapy it has become clear that my right side, the side that was resected four years ago, moves more, is free-er, less restricted, and my left side-where I have the bigger cervical rib and still need resection- is more frozen, stiff, and very guarded.

I have many of the common issues I see other TOS folks commenting about on TOS support groups.

Weather affects my pain level.
I have lost upper-body strength from limiting my arm movement.
I juggle a lot of things to minimize the flareup's of TOS pain.
Driving more than a quick trip always leaves me needing pain meds afterward.
I worry about a left-sided blood clot (I'm super careful with that arm when I sleep at night).
I, like most TOSers, continue to seek ideas to manage my life with TOS.

On my list of things to try are; acupuncture, taping, botox injections, Melt method therapy, anti-inflammation diet. My doctor prescribed an antidepressant to help with the pain. I was *very* skeptical and resistant to the idea, but dealing with pain has a way of wearing you down.
I gave in and decided to give it a try. Once I was past the initial startup side effect phase, I am happy to report that I have noticed a reduction in TOS achy pain symptoms.

I take omega 3, B12, magnesium daily. I will be adding vitamin D soon also.

I recently went back to working as an in-home caregiver, very part time, very light duty.

I have gained weight, up two sizes- partly from restricting my activity to avoid TOS pain, partly because donuts make me feel better-at least while I'm eating them.

All-in-all, my life with TOS has its challenges, but they are manageable.

I have found great support and ideas from online TOS groups. I appreciate the people who share their common TOS struggles and encouragement however they can-with suggestions, a word of support, or just offering a place to vent where everyone understands, because we are each living our own journeys... with TOS.


Four-year postop pictures below.
You can see my right resected side is lower than my left side. My neck on the right is straighter also.

The transaxillary scar is barely visible, 2 1/2 inches below the crease.
My armpit is mostly numb, including part of the back of my upper right arm .

 

So that's the scoop four years postop. As always, if you have any TOS questions, don't hesitate to email and ask.

Today In TOS News...

Read the complete report here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2070350/Ask-doctor-My-blood-pressure-high-just-arm.html

"A blockage in this artery is usually due to trauma, such as a broken arm or collar bone, though it can also be caused by the presence of an extra rib, called a cervical rib.



This abnormality is present from birth in one in 200 of us but, over time, it can press on the artery and cause damage, triggering a clot.
It is easily diagnosed on X-ray, and, if there are no symptoms, we leave it alone. But if the rib is causing pain by compressing vital nerves, or affecting the functioning of the arm by pressing on a blood vessel, then surgery may be essential."

This is a Cervical rib

I have these. They're pretty rare.
They cause a traffic jam for my blood flow, nerves, and muscles.




Things you never knew, huh? :)

So I talked to the surgeon this week. He read the note to me from my spine doctor who referred me to him...
"This patient says both her children have had surgery for this condition. I don't know why she hasn't considered it for herself after 20 years of sypmtoms."

I have resisted surgery quite agressively.
The past year I've done everything I know to do, including much prayer.

But it is what it is.

I can't believe I'm actually feeling willing to have surgery.
It has become clear to me I will never massage away the bone, never crunch it at the chiropracters office enough, never heat it, physical therapy it, relax it, stretch it, drug it with muscle relaxers enough.
It's time for the extra rib to go.
I think I am ready.

I think.

It just occurred to me that 2 percent of people have red hair.
and 1 in 10,000 people have cervical ribs...so how special does that make me?!!
wow. ( chuckle)

Back to reading my book, -books are awesome.

Though, I have to hold 'em up to read...all because I have extra ribs.