{"id":19994,"date":"2026-04-08T19:21:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T19:21:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/?page_id=19994"},"modified":"2026-04-13T22:11:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T22:11:24","slug":"what-is-tos","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/what-is-tos\/","title":{"rendered":"What is TOS?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"19994\" class=\"elementor elementor-19994\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd698f3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bd698f3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c312ed1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c312ed1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-812204f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"812204f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1456b3d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1456b3d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2905baa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2905baa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-paragraph\"><p class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\">Table of Contents<\/p><\/div><div class=\"awb-toc-el awb-toc-el--1\"><div class=\"awb-toc-el__content\"><ul class=\"awb-toc-el__list awb-toc-el__list--0\"><li><a href=\"#toc_What_is_Thoracic_Outlet_Syndrome\">What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?<br \/><\/a><ul class=\"awb-toc-el__list awb-toc-el__list--1\"><li><a href=\"#toggle_79779b82576f7bbce\">Definition of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<br \/><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#toc_What_are_the_3_Types_of_Thoracic_Outlet\">What are the 3 Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?<br \/><\/a><ul class=\"awb-toc-el__list awb-toc-el__list--1\"><li><a href=\"#toggle_a747ee1f4d5b2bfe0\">Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#toggle_5727001b9d1d8d4e2\">Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#toggle_860684bb594e8543a\">Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#toc_Anatomy_of_the_Thoracic_Outlet\">Anatomy of the Thoracic Outlet<br \/><\/a><ul class=\"awb-toc-el__list awb-toc-el__list--1\"><li><a href=\"#toggle_779f75e14461b3255\">Thoracic Outlet Anatomy<br \/><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#toc_What_Causes_Thoracic_Outlet_Syndrome\">What Causes Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?<br \/><\/a><ul class=\"awb-toc-el__list awb-toc-el__list--1\"><li><a href=\"#toggle_ff414493aa3fbacbc\">Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<br \/><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#toc_History_of_Thoracic_Outlet_Syndrome\">History of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<br \/><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0369ee e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a0369ee\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78e857d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"78e857d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"toc_What_is_Thoracic_Outlet_Syndrome\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b3bfb3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9b3bfb3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-594703a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"594703a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/News-Glasses-White-Circle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-20021\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42d151e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"42d151e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9362fb6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9362fb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9387657 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9387657\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tosmri.com\/what-is-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/\">Thoracic outlet syndrome<\/a>\u00a0is a pain syndrome of the upper extremities. Doctors often use the abbreviation \u2018TOS\u2019 to describe thoracic outlet syndrome. Symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome may include pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or blood clots and abnormal blood flow in one or both upper extremities. Three distinct types of thoracic outlet syndrome exist. Thoracic outlet syndrome\u00a0can range from an emergent surgical condition to a progressive, chronic pain syndrome that alters the lives of TOS patients.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f58dd0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9f58dd0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87b922e elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"87b922e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"toggle_79779b82576f7bbce\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle_79779b82576f7bbce\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\">  Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_79779b82576f7bbce\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f78f430 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f78f430\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94711dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94711dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>TOS symptoms result from compression of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tosmri.com\/diagnosis-of-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/symptoms-of-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/symptoms-of-neurogenic-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/\">nerves<\/a>, arteries, or veins as they travel from the neck and chest to the arm. Compression of each of these vital structures causes a different group of symptoms.<\/p><p>Compression of the subclavian vein occurs in many people, often without symptoms of TOS. In certain groups of people, however, this compression results in the formation of a blood clot in the subclavian vein near the neck. As a result, blood flow from the arm to the heart is impaired, and these patients experience a number of striking symptoms:<\/p><ul><li>Swelling of the affected arm<\/li><li>Dusky or blue color of the arm<\/li><li>New superficial veins of the affected shoulder and chest<\/li><li>Shortness of breath may occur if a blood clot travels to the lungs<\/li><\/ul><p>Compression of the subclavian artery may occur to a mild extent in normal people. However, when this compression is severe and prolonged, damage of the underlying arterial wall develops. The damaged arterial wall may enlarge, forming an aneurysm, or a scar may form within the artery, narrowing the arterial diameter. These findings form the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tosmri.com\/diagnosis-of-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/diagnosis-of-arterial-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/\">diagnosis of arterial TOS<\/a>. Blood clots may form within the damaged arterial segment. These blood clots may break off and travel down the arm, blocking smaller arteries. A large blood clot at the site of damage may totally block blood flow to the arm. As a result of large or small blood clots in the arteries, areas of tissue death may occur. Therefore, the diagnosis of arterial TOS should be made promptly and accurately. Dramatic symptoms of arterial TOS include:<\/p><ul><li>Coldness of the arm<\/li><li>Pale color of the arm<\/li><li>Loss of pulses<\/li><li>Weakness of the arm<\/li><li>Pain or tingling in the arm<\/li><\/ul><p>While the symptoms of venous TOS and arterial TOS are dramatic and straightforward, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tosmri.com\/diagnosis-of-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/symptoms-of-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/symptoms-of-neurogenic-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/\">symptoms of Neurogenic TOS<\/a>\u00a0are often cryptic, for a number of reasons. First, there are many known anatomic variants of the thoracic outlet that may compress the brachial plexus. Second, there are significant changes of each thoracic outlet that occur with movement of the arms. Third, we know of many variants in the branching pattern of the brachial plexus. Fourth, even in the case of a typical brachial plexus branching pattern, the distribution of thousands of nerve fibers within the brachial plexus can vary highly. As a result of all of these variables, the exact point of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tosmri.com\/what-is-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/causes-of-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/causes-of-neurogenic-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/\">compression<\/a>\u00a0and the underlying affected nerve component remains uncertain in most patients with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tosmri.com\/diagnosis-of-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/symptoms-of-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/symptoms-of-neurogenic-thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/\">Neurogenic TOS symptoms<\/a>.<\/p><p>Given the expected broad range of possible symptoms in neurogenic TOS, patients often report the following symptoms:<\/p><ul><li>Pain<\/li><li>Numbness<\/li><li>Tingling<\/li><li>Skin color changes<\/li><li>Weakness<\/li><li>Loss of coordination<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8442f7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"8442f7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bd9714 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4bd9714\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"toc_What_are_the_3_Types_of_Thoracic_Outlet\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-499e730 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"499e730\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What are the 3 Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8a70bf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e8a70bf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ae54db e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9ae54db\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0a77ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e0a77ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kryski-Costoclavicular-Interval-Lavendar-Circle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-20049\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d05e1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d05e1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"toggle_a747ee1f4d5b2bfe0\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64c6121 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"64c6121\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\nCompression of the brachial plexus, a complex nerve network, causes sensory and motor symptoms and signs.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f31b3d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3f31b3d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f8f8c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5f8f8c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kryski-Retropectoralis-Space-Lavender-Circle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-20053\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f618dde elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f618dde\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"toggle_5727001b9d1d8d4e2\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd8caf3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bd8caf3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Compression of a large vein allows the formation of blood clot, which blocks blood flow from the arm to the heart.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95284e1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"95284e1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b11c19c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b11c19c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kryski-Scalene-Triangle-Lavender-Circle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-20054\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e27e16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6e27e16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"toggle_860684bb594e8543a\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c33cd0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c33cd0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\nCompression of a large artery damages the artery, and leads to blood clot formation, which can block blood flow to the arm.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1068730 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1068730\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab35d4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"ab35d4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1790\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1790\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1790\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d69d964 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d69d964\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb01359 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb01359\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A large, branching network of nerves, the\u00a0<i>brachial plexus<\/i>, passes through each thoracic outlet. Compression or tension on these nerves occurs in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. Compression or tension can cause damage to these nerves. When the damage results in symptoms, neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome\u00a0is present. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome\u00a0patients may experience pain, tingling, abnormal sensations, weakness, or muscle atrophy. Neurogenic TOS is the most common type of TOS, 95 to 98% of all TOS cases. Neurogenic TOS is also the most difficult type of TOS to diagnose.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be5cfb3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"be5cfb3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1791\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1791\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1791\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75f5fc9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"75f5fc9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-926935f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"926935f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A single, large subclavian vein passes through each thoracic outlet. Compression of this vein can occur in the thoracic outlet, especially due to arm movement. Repeated compression may eventually damage the vein, resulting in scarring and narrowing. Blood clot may form in this damaged vein segment, and can grow in size, or break off and travel to the lungs or brain. When blood clot forms, venous TOS is present. Venous TOS is very uncommon, accounting for 2 to 5 % of TOS cases. Patients with venous TOS often present with swelling and discoloration of the arm and upper chest. Doctors should diagnose and treat venous TOS urgently by resolving the blood clot, and then relieving the compression of the vein.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7f4245 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"c7f4245\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1792\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1792\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1792\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd4095a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fd4095a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dce4cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3dce4cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A single, large subclavian artery passes through each thoracic outlet. Compression of this artery can occur in the thoracic outlet, more likely if a cervical rib is present. Repeated compression may damage the artery, resulting in scarring and narrowing, or focal dilation. Blood clot may form in the damaged arterial segment. This clot can break off and block arteries in the arm. When this occurs, arterial TOS is present. Arterial TOS is rare, only 1% of TOS cases. Arterial TOS patients may have a pulsatile neck mass, with weakness, pale color, coldness or gangrene of the arm. This sudden blockage of blood flow is a surgical emergency, treated by removal or dissolving of the clot. After this emergent treatment, doctors usually relieve the structures compressing the artery, and repair the damaged arterial segment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-253896e elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"253896e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf39eda e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bf39eda\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"toc_Anatomy_of_the_Thoracic_Outlet\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d1bc1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d1bc1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Anatomy of the Thoracic Outlet\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0d500a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a0d500a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2827e5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a2827e5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8dd8847 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8dd8847\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The anatomy of the thoracic outlet appears incredibly complex. Besides the native anatomy, a number of anatomic variants and anomalies create more complexity. These variants can compress the nerves, artery or veins, resulting in TOS. Moreover, motion of the arms causes complex changes in the anatomic tunnels of the thoracic outlet. When you understand the anatomy of the thoracic outlet, you have taken the first step in understanding\u00a0thoracic outlet syndrome.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acc9122 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"acc9122\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"toggle_779f75e14461b3255\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1810\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1810\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Thoracic Outlet Anatomy <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1810\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd6c07e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dd6c07e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-225a5be elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"225a5be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You can feel the thoracic outlet on each side of your neck. Specifically, the thoracic outlet is the hollow space above your collarbone, between your shoulder and your neck. Slide your hand down either side of your neck to find the thoracic outlet.<\/p><p>Three vital structures pass from the neck and chest through each thoracic outlet to enter each arm. Specifically, the\u00a0subclavian artery, subclavian vein, and brachial plexus pass through the thoracic outlet on each side.<\/p><p>Each structure must pass through a series of narrow tunnels to reach the arm. These tunnels have bony or soft tissue structures that define their walls. Any abnormality of these walls can narrow one of the critical tunnels. In this way, an abnormal tunnel can compress one or more of \u00a0the vital structures.<\/p><p>In addition, the thoracic outlet will change when the shoulder is moved. Since the shoulder has a very broad range of motion, additional narrowing of one or more tunnels may take place.<\/p><p>As you can see, each thoracic outlet is quite complex, both at baseline and with motion. You can learn more about this complex anatomy by clicking this button.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-520cc5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"520cc5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Anatomy of the Thoracic Outlet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-643fb09 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"643fb09\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bafffb2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bafffb2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"toc_What_Causes_Thoracic_Outlet_Syndrome\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48a3c90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"48a3c90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Causes Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ecbc68 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6ecbc68\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9298db e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f9298db\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffb7692 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ffb7692\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/News-Glasses-White-Circle.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-20021\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a55313 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a55313\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f65672 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f65672\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><p>The nerves, artery and vein must be free to pass through the thoracic outlet. However, anatomic variants, acquired abnormalities, and abnormal arm motion may cause compression of these vital structures. In that case, patients may experience the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. People with neck injuries, occupational injuries or overuse, and overhead athletes are all at risk for developing\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/orthoinfo.aaos.org\/en\/diseases--conditions\/thoracic-outlet-syndrome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">thoracic outlet syndrome<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83d3079 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"83d3079\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"toggle_ff414493aa3fbacbc\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1380\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1380\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1380\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cc633a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2cc633a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bc6d84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8bc6d84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Doctors are aware of factors that increase the risk of developing TOS:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"custom-arrow\">\n\n  <li>\n    <strong>Motor vehicle accidents:<\/strong> People who suffer neck injuries in motor vehicle accidents may develop TOS. Most people have heard the term \u201cwhiplash,\u201d which is non-specific. Many whiplash cases actually represent TOS.\n  <\/li>\n\n  <li>\n    <strong>Repetitive stress injuries:<\/strong> Often related to non-ergonomic work environments, repetitive stress injuries include a broad group of painful disorders. Thoracic outlet syndrome falls within this group.\n  <\/li>\n\n  <li>\n    <strong>Computer use:<\/strong> With increased use of computers, phones, and tablets, many people adopt poor posture for long hours. This contributes to abnormalities in the thoracic outlet.\n  <\/li>\n\n  <li>\n    <strong>Overhead athletics:<\/strong> Athletes such as volleyball players, baseball pitchers, and swimmers are at increased risk of developing thoracic outlet syndrome.\n  <\/li>\n\n  <li>\n    <strong>Manual laborers:<\/strong> Jobs requiring repetitive arm use (e.g., drivers, painters, construction workers) increase the risk of TOS.\n  <\/li>\n\n  <li>\n    <strong>Cervical rib:<\/strong> Since 1895, when \n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aps.org\/publications\/apsnews\/200111\/history.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n      Roentgen created the first medical x-ray\n    <\/a>, \n    doctors have known some patients have a cervical rib (an extra rib above the first rib). However, most people with cervical ribs do not have TOS. Many TOS cases are caused by soft tissue abnormalities not visible on X-rays, so this alone is not a reliable diagnosis.\n  <\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1cf172 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"f1cf172\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de48c0f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"de48c0f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"toc_History_of_Thoracic_Outlet_Syndrome\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cd63d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2cd63d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">History of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b246f9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b246f9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7 fusion-text-no-margin\"><p>Like many other scientific pursuits, the history of TOS takes many twists and turns. In essence, The history revolves around human nature, curiosity and discovery. Here you can enjoy a wild and fascinating ride of dead ends and discoveries, egos and errors, personalities and politics. Learn about the history of TOS, starting from a simple English housemaid to modern robotic surgeons.<\/p><\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc069cf elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"bc069cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/history-of-tos\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">History of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome? Table of Contents What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome? Definition of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome What are the 3 Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome? Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Anatomy of the Thoracic Outlet Thoracic Outlet Anatomy What Causes Thoracic Outlet Syndrome? Causes of Thoracic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-19994","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19994","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19994"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19994\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21789,"href":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19994\/revisions\/21789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hlsllc.org\/tos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19994"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}