Numb & Tingling Hands: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Causes & Symptoms

If you are experiencing pain in your shoulders, neck, and arms, and/or numbness or tingling in your hands, you may be suffering from Thoracic outlet syndrome. While this condition is not widely known, Macomb County hand specialist Dr. Rehman sees this medical issue on a regular basis.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is actually a group of related conditions and symptoms that develop when the blood vessels or nerves in the narrow space between the collarbone and first rib become compressed.

What Causes Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (Numb & Tingling Hands)

The blood vessels, nerves, and muscles that extend from the back to the arms pass through a narrow opening situated between a person’s first rib and their collarbone or “clavicle”. When this space becomes too narrow, increased pressure on the blood vessels and nerves can cause numbness or tingling in the hands, as well as pain that radiates into the shoulders, neck, and arms.

The cause of thoracic outlet syndrome cannot always be determined, but there is often a relationship to physical injury in car accidents, a history of repetitive movements, or hereditary structural abnormalities.

Additionally, some people are born with an extra rib above their first rib, which can reduces the size of the thoracic outlet opening and compress nerves and blood vessels. Other individuals with poor posture or who have excess abdominal fat may be putting increased pressure on the joints which causes a narrowing of the thoracic outlet opening.

Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (Numb & Tingling Hands)

The symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome can vary depending upon whether the nerves, the blood vessels, or both, are being compressed.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Symptoms of Compressed Nerves:

  • pain in the neck or shoulder
  • pain in the arm, or hand
  • numbness in the fingers, wrist and/or forearm
  • hand weakness

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Symptoms of Compressed Blood Vessels:

  • arm swelling and/or redness
  • hands or arms feel cold to the touch
  • weak or easily tired hands or arms
  • difficulty lifting objects above the head
  • limited range of motion in the shoulders and arms.

CLICK Here to Read Diagnosing Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (Numb & Tingling Hands)

Numb & Tingling Hands – Macomb County

The recovery outlook for people with thoracic outlet syndrome (Numb & Tingling Hands) is typically very good, especially with early diagnosis and prompt treatment by a hand specialist like Macomb County area hand surgeon Dr. Rehman.

So if you are suffering from Numb & Tingling Hands it is important to contact a hand specialist as soon as possible. Getting rapid and skilled treatment by our Oakland County area hand specialists will only stop the numbness, tingling and pain, but will also prevent serious complications from developing such as permanent neurological damage.

Numb & Tingling Hands – Macomb County Hand Doctor: 586.532.0803