I (have) had Thoracic outlet syndrome. It took approx 8 years to figure out what I had. Finally found a doctor I could agree with. He found cervical ribs both right and left. Only had symptoms on my right side. Pretty sure symptoms were brought on by a car accident (whiplash). Anyway.. Had the cervical rib removed and the first rib removed along with the skaleen muscle that was in a spasm. It has been 5 weeks and I am still taking pain meds, although I am finally starting to feel some relief. Not ready to quit the pain meds though. Although I'm gonna have to since my dr wants me off them. Wish he could feel this pain. My chest is numb but it is painful underneath. It burns like heck and the muscles, or it may be the facia that runs from my neck to my chest that is so tight it kills me. I try to do my stretches but it hurts. Mornings are awful. Be prepared to not sleep at first. I am thankful to have found this site. You feel like you are the only one out there who has been through this since it is such a rare anomaly. If you are going to have this surgery perpare yourself for not only the pain but the mental challenge of being in pain for so long. You will have some really down days. Good luck
Hi
You are 3 weeks ahead of me, my op was 2 weeks ago. My main concern is that the surgeon said I would be able to go back to work sfter 2 weeks and thats like today but there is really no way I can spend all day ar a desk yet. I told my boss maybe 6 weeks as thats when I go back to the specialist, my GP isnt sure at all how long it will take but he did laugh out loud when I said 2 weeks! I'm still numb, no actual improvement yet on the original symptoms but now I have a whole load more. I did think tghe surgeon was being a bit optimistic in his handiwork. Like you I;ve had the cervical rib, 1st rib, some muscle and a part of the clavicle removed. Its a neat scar though, maybe if the scar looked worse I'd expect to feel like I do but as its all starting to look better on the outside maybe I'm just expecting too much too soon. Please keep updating on your progress, its good to get info from someone who has been through the same experience and I hope you start to improve soon. Take care
I'm probably 12 weeks on, I'm still needing tramadol some days. His estimate of 4 weeks ws a bit of a laugh.
Although I did have complications from the surgery...
It is really hard, and can be very draining being in so much pain. No one really understands.
Take care
Sorry to say that I am 4 years on and still take tramadol or codeine to help me especially at night or when I have to drive for a long periods.
My doctor (a navy nerve specialist) told me that it can take up to 10 years to recover properly from this type surgery and be pain free, so I’m afraid it's a long road ahead everyone.
I too have had the 1st ribs etc out on both sides, and spent just over a week in hospital on a morphine drip after both surgery’s recovering.
Good luck everyone it’s a long recovery which I am now hoping I don’t have to make again as they think it's grown back !!
Hiya,
I have a cervical rib on my left side and have been suffering from the symptoms of TOS. I have been told i have to have an operation early 2013. I'm quite worried to be honest and just wanted to know a bit more about the procedure and how it will affect me i guess??? If anyone could help i'd really appreciate it.
Thanks
Hiya, as i mention above its quite a long road for recovery. The operation it self can vary depending on how bad the extra rib is. Ive had the surgery twice, one on each side and they both took 5 to 5 and half hours and i was in hospital for a week after for both. I was told mine was quite bad so that's why it took so long to do. The average time is usually an hour or so and 1 or 2 nights in hospital so they say, but speak to your surgen to get a better picture as to what you will happen for you. I guess it also depends on country to country as there are various ways to operate. (I had mine through the side of my armpit and not my front checst for example)
After the surgery can vary depending on each person too, for example had the surgery 4 and half years ago and my the tops of my arms are still numb as they cut the nerve running down my arm. I can feel from my elbow down now so it is getting better. It doesnt really effect my day to day life or anything it's just a pain if you have raise your arms above your head as they go numb in seconds lol !
Good luck with everything, and im sure you'll be fine !
Hi,
Thanks for the help and advice. It does seem that everyone has different experiences with it all regarding the severity and ,well, the surgeon as well i guess! I been told i should only have to spent 1 night in hospital and then it should take around 6-8 weeks for it to feel normal. I was just concerned as the recovery time seemed to vary between so many different people who have had the operation but as you say i'm sure it all depends on the severity etc.
Thank you for your kind help and i hope you carry on recovering well. 
Hi all im due to have an cervical rib removed next month ..at jimmys hospital in leeds heard a few different storys about treatment and recovery times etc... so im gonna keep everyone informed before and after the op is done
Hi,
I recently had a cervicle rib removed on the right side after it was found I had them on both sides, but only had symptoms of the right! Before the operation I read through all these forums which freaked me out slightly with all the stories about how much pain patients were in and how they were still recovering after months, however I'm here for some reassurance. I was being operated on for 5 and half hours as they had to cut the rib out in sections and it was too big to remove in one, however the operation was completely successful. Recovery wise I woke up on a strong local anaesthetic so couldn't feel anything on the whole of the right side of my upper body, so obviously wasn't in any pain. After a few hours as the anaesthetic wore off and pain started to build I was given morphine and other drugs to manage the pain, but it never got unbearable. The first night was the worst with my blood pressure dropping worryingly low, but the pain was completely manageable. I improved really quickly and was out of hospital after 3 days, with pain only when moving the neck. After one week I was only on paracetamol, and was back at school within 3 weeks of rest and recovery. However I was unable to do sport for a few months
So don't worry about the operation too much, I know I was lucky, but from my experience a few days of pain with strong pain killers is well worth it to reduce the symptoms
Hi Louise, glad it was a good ending for you. how long was it for you and what tests did you have to go threw for a consultant to do the op !!!!
Hi there,
Well once They found the rib I was referred to Great Ormond Street hospital and had an MRI and an x-ray however they then referred me to another hospital in order to see a specialist. I had two more MRI's and a few x-rays done by the second hospital and they found that the rib was constricting one of the blood vessels in my neck. I was then sent to have a nerve test to see if they were damaged in any way but they were fine. I then had a meeting with the surgeon who recommended I have the operation as symptoms were only going to get worse, and around 6 weeks later I was in surgery. The whole process from discovery to surgery took just over a year, but I wasn't an urgent case.
HI there louis5258. Hope you are doing well now ? It's been over a year now ! had MRI and scan-x-rays and isotope scan. At the being they thought it was my heart ? heart got the all clear, and my Doctor said it was cervical ribs abet. been in and out of hospital ever since. even had two letters apologising to me that they had missed on scans and that showed cervical ribs on both sides. but every time I get to see my consultant appointment they keep saying if I had cervical ribs they do not cause pain !!! I showed them my letters to say it was confirmed that I do have cervical ribs ! They really want to live in my world !! and now I have got to go on Friday for what you said a nerve test ! I have now had to ask for second opinion because I cannot go on like this. I still work but I pain for it with the pain.
If you're living in the UK I recommend going to the Royal London Orthopaedic Hospital for your second opinion, that's where I was refered and they have a really good group of specialists (apparently the best in Europe), and they'll defiantely know what to do
Hi louis52558. Many thanks for that. will ask for that. it's great on hear because you find out a lot more about the condition and know that you are not mad and alone !
Hi there,
I just read the experiences you all guys been through are freeking me out. I have a cervical rib on both side and have been suffering from the symptoms of TOS. I have been told I have to have an operation next week. I'm quite worried to be honest and just wanted to know a bit more about the procedure and recovery n how it will effect me later I guess??? If anyone could help me who had reciently operated. I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks
I had my operation in february of last year and only had to have one side taken out. I was out of hospital after one night and although i still have pains (mainly muscular) its better i guess. I know i havnt had to have both sides operated on but i think its best not to worry!! Everyones experiences are different and when i read some peoples experience on here i was freaked out but it was all ok in the end. Just remember that soon you hopeefully will be rid of the pain you have now!!
Hi Nadeem. I am still waiting to see another consultant because the first one has just messed me around for over a year now !! How have you got seen so quick and to be operated on, you must be in a good area ! Having physio and pain management but nothing seems to help. physio told me to complain about my treatment because I need them removing ASP !!
Hi Jessbear16. glad to hear your op went well. how long did you have to wait for your op, and what tests did you have to have. ?? I have had scans. xrays. MRI. etc, had the report that I have cerivcal ribs both sides, but consultant just messed me around for over a year now, so got rid of him, and been waiting now to see another one at a differant hospital, but been waiting for months.
Hiya yh had to wait a while too at least over a year i think - Went to several hospitals and none seemed to know what to do with me but eventually got treated. Yeah i had to have xrays and MRI which wasnt very pleasant!!
Yer MRI !!! I don like small spaces so hated it. Glad I am not the only one then with these hospitals. hopefully I will get treated soon, tablets they have given me do no good, and to be honest physio seems to make it worse. is there anything you found help it !