Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

• How can you be sure that I have thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and not some other condition that produces similar signs and symptoms?
• What is the underlying cause of my TOS?
• Which type of TOS do I have?
• How much experience have you had treating patients with TOS?
• What is your initial treatment plan for patients with TOS?
• Will I benefit from conservative therapy?
• Which health care professional will oversee my exercise program and evaluate my progress?
• How long will it take until my signs and symptoms improve or disappear?
• At what point do you consider surgery to be an option for treatment of TOS?
• What are the risks and benefits of surgery?
• Can TOS recur after successful treatment?
• What lifestyle changes or work-site modifications do you recommend to help me better control my signs and symptoms of TOS?