Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - Symptoms and Consequences

Symptoms and Consequences

TOS affects mainly the upper limbs, with signs and symptoms manifesting in the arms and hands. Pain is almost always present, and can be sharp, burning, or aching. It can involve only part of the hand (as in the 4th and 5th finger only), all of the hand, or the inner aspect of the forearm and upper arm. Pain can also be in the side of the neck, the pectoral area below the clavicle, the axillary area, and the upper back (i.e. the trapezius and rhomboid area). Decoloration of the hands, one hand colder than the other hand, weakness of the hand and arm muscles, and tingling are commonly present.

TOS is often the underlying cause of refractory upper limb conditions like frozen shoulder and carpal tunnel syndrome that frequently defy standard treatment protocols.

TOS can be related to Cerebrovascular arterial insufficiency when affecting the subclavian artery. It also can affect the vertebral artery, case in which it could produce transient blindness, and embolic cerebral infarction.

A painful, swollen and blue arm, particularly when occurring after strenuous physical activity, could be a sign of a venous compression or subclavian vein thrombosis called Paget-Schroetter Syndrome.