A Swimmer's Race for TOS Relief
Lois has been swimming all her life. By her junior year of
high school, she needed surgery to repair several torn muscles in her right
shoulder. However, after surgery Lois began to develop tingling and numbness in
her right fingers. When her symptoms became worse, Lois went to an orthopaedic hand specialist. The hand
specialist determined she either had carpal tunnel syndrome or thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) a disorder that induces compression of the artery, vein,
or nerves in the upper chest region.
Lois tried physical therapy, but when her symptoms persisted,
her doctor referred her to Michael Singh,
MD, chief of Vascular
Surgery at UPMC Shadyside. After confirming her diagnosis of TOS, Dr. Singh
recommended a short course of focused physical therapy which can eliminate the
need for surgery for many patients.
However, after two months of this treatment, it was clear
that Lois would need surgery.
Today, Lois has normal
function in her fingers and hand and is grateful to be living a life without
pain and limitations.
Read
more about Lois’ TOS treatment from the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute