
If thoracic outlet syndrome is affecting your arteries, you’ll likely need surgery to repair the damaged artery with a graft. In rare cases, the vein may need to be repaired with surgery. If thoracic outlet syndrome is affecting your veins, the clot will be treated with thrombolysis, blood thinners or angioplasty. Most patients improve after this, but you may need decompression surgery if these measures aren’t enough. If your nerves are affected, you’ll be initially treated with physical therapy and medications. Treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome will vary depending on the type that you have.

Thoracic outlet syndrome affecting a nerve will usually cause the following symptoms: An anatomical defect, such as an extra rib or an abnormal first rib.A chronic injury, such as repetitive arm and shoulder movements.


Neurogenic (neurological) thoracic outlet syndrome.The classification depends on what is being compressed – a nerve, a vein or an artery. There are three main kinds of thoracic outlet syndrome. DESCRIPTION Thoracic outlet syndrome is characterized by pain andweakness from compression of nerves and less com-monly from compression of arteries and veins in the neck,which may affect the shoulders, arms, and hands. Thoracic outlet syndrome is more common in women than men and usually starts between 20 and 50 years of age. Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders caused by pressure or compression against the nerves or blood vessels in the space behind and below the collarbone (the thoracic outlet).
