Ms. Mien, 48 years old, had been experiencing numbness in her right fingers and a tired arm for quite some time. She occasionally felt cold hands and also experienced occasional tingling and muscle weakness. After visiting the doctor, she was diagnosed with a rare thoracic outlet syndrome.
The thoracic outlet is a narrow space between the neck and shoulders that is formed by the upper ribs below the collarbone. This syndrome occurs when blood vessels or nerves running from the upper body to the arms are compressed by surrounding structures, leading to various symptoms such as swelling, reduced blood flow, tingling, muscle weakness, pain, and numbness.
Dr. Phan Vu Hong Hai explained that there are three types of thoracic outlet syndrome: neurogenic TOS, venous TOS, and arterial TOS. In Ms. Mien’s case, she had a combination of these mechanisms with severe stenosis of the right subclavian artery root and veins.
To treat this condition, Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung performed a surgical procedure to widen the thoracic outlet and relieve compression on blood vessels and nerves. After the surgery, Ms. Mien experienced complete relief from her hand numbness and resumed normal activities without any discomfort or pain whatsoever.
Dr. Phan Vu Hong Hai emphasized that it’s important for people at risk to take preventive measures to avoid developing TOS. These include avoiding bad posture while sitting or standing for long periods of time; practicing good physical hygiene habits such as stretching exercises before starting work; using ergonomic tools like chairs and desks; maintaining a healthy weight; engaging in regular exercise; avoiding repetitive movements or stress on the shoulders and muscles around the thoracic outlet; seeking medical attention if experiencing any symptoms related to TOS.
In summary, thoracic outlet syndrome can be caused by various factors including trauma, congenital anatomical abnormalities, poor posture or repetitive movements among others. The treatment options range from physical therapy to medical treatments depending on severity of symptoms but in some cases surgery may be necessary for relief.
It’s crucial for people who work in office environments or have physically demanding jobs to take preventive measures to avoid developing this condition because early intervention is key in managing it effectively.
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