What is thoracic outlet syndrome?

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a condition in which the nerves or blood vessels are squeezed tightly in a small space behind the collarbone (clavicle). This space is called the thoracic outlet. TOS can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in your shoulder, arm, or hand. Sometimes it causes swelling.

Symptoms depend on the type of TOS.

Symptoms of nerve TOS may happen when you move your arms to shoulder level or to other positions that put pressure on the nerves. These symptoms include:

• Pain, numbness, or tingling in the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand.
• Weakness in the arm or hand.
• In some cases, headaches.

Symptoms of vascular (blood vessel) TOS include:

• Sudden swelling and pain in the arm and shoulder.
• Pain and fatigue in the lower arm or hand when you hold them over your head.
• Wounds on the hands and fingers that don't heal.
• Sudden pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the hands.
• Cold, pale fingers.
• A bluish skin color in the arms and hands.

Your doctor will ask if you have trouble using your hands or arms in activities like driving or washing your hair. You'll be asked about any injuries you've had to your neck or shoulder.

You will have a physical exam. This may include moving your arms and holding them in different positions. Your doctor will check for symptoms and changes in your pulse.

Your doctor may order a chest X-ray. Other imaging tests, such as an MRI, a CT scan, or an ultrasound, may be done.

You may have nerve tests such as an electromyogram (EMG) or a nerve conduction study. They measure electrical signals from nerves to muscles. These tests can tell the doctor if your symptoms are caused by a nerve problem or by the muscle.

Your doctor may also give you a shot to numb a muscle in your neck to see if it makes your symptoms go away.

The treatment depends on the type of TOS and what's causing it.

If your TOS is caused by squeezed nerves, you will probably have physical therapy first. The aim is to help relieve your symptoms. It may help you improve your posture, stretch the muscles in the area, and move better. It can also help you reduce the repeated movements that caused the TOS or made it worse. Your doctor may suggest that you lose some weight. It may take some pressure off the nerve.

If your TOS involves blood vessels, you may have medicine or surgery to remove blood clots. You may have a procedure to repair a blood vessel. And you may take blood thinners to help prevent more blood clots.

With either type, you may have surgery to relieve the tightness in the thoracic outlet area.

Try to stop or reduce activities that cause symptoms. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to help reduce symptoms. Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine for pain, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow the directions for medicine your doctor may prescribe. Try to stay at a healthy weight.