Dr. Hackman Surgery 2/28/22 + Full Story

@Snapple2020 I’m so sorry you’re still having so much pain and difficult issues. For TOS (I just recently was diagnosed with this as well), physical therapy (as you know) and also massage can help. I went to a massage therapist today who specializes in neuromuscular massage and he dug in deep! He found all the spots. As you know, TOS is muscular at it’s foundation that causes the additional issues (vascular and neurogenic). I’m very sore but I can move and raise my arm without feeling the horrible pain of my rib snapping. Maybe try massage?

The neck is such a complicated thing. I had a 1 level fusion and a foraminotomy to avoid a 3 level fusion. I was scheduled for the 3 level fusion this month because they missed a disc protrusion on my MRI and need to go back in. That’s a pretty big mistake they made. I have neck pain from Eagles but not a ton of neck pain near C6/C7 where the protrusion is. Most of the pain is at the base of the back of my skull and on the sides by the scalenes and SCM. When I do a chin tuck to aggravate the styloids the pain reproduces in the back of the base of my skull and on the sides of my neck down to my clavicle, as well as the sides of my head and around my jaw. Sometimes it feels like my head and occiput are very heavy. Looking down makes it worse as well. I know where the eagles pain is, and the constant tinnitus, but not sure if the rest is related to eagles.

I know C6 and 7 don’t cause pain in the occipital region. I’d rather look into the eagles symptoms before getting a 3 level fusion. I just wish there was a test to tell you exactly. Wishful thinking!

I’m right there with you on the different issues and it’s so frustrating. I’m going to see Dr. Hackman next week for a consult. I’m hoping he can shed some light on what he’s seen with eagles that are outside the “classic” symptoms.

Try the massage for your TOS. I’m a bit sore but it definitely helped. I’m going again on Saturday.

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