For far too long, one of our clients has been suffering from a painful condition called thoracic outlet syndrome. The client came to one of our California injury lawyers after he had been in accident in which another driver pulled from a stop sign, striking him as he was driving about forty miles an hour. It was a horrible accident, from which our client sustained serious neck injuries, in addition to the thoracic outlet syndrome.
Thoracic outlet syndrome is a painful condition in which either the blood vessels or the nerves in the thoracic outlet, the area between the clavicle and first rib, become compressed. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome results from compression on the brachial plexus, the group of nerves originating at the spinal cord that are responsible for muscle movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Symptoms include neck and shoulder pain, aching hands, a tingling sensation in the fingers, and a weakening grip. Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when the veins or arteries under the clavicle are constricted, causing a throbbing lump near the collarbone, blood clots in the arm, and discoloration of the hand.
The physical trauma suffered in a car accident is a common cause of thoracic outlet syndrome, which was the case with our California injury lawyer's client. While the condition is often treated with physical therapy, in more severe cases, surgery may be recommended. Both surgical approaches—either making an incision under the neck to expose the brachial plexus and repair constricted blood vessels or making an incision in the chest and partially removing the first rib to relieve pressure—carry the risk of injuring the brachial plexus and possibly limiting muscle movement.
Our client was given a difficult diagnosis: surgery or a specialized treatment program. We referred him to a medical specialist and he is now receiving treatment in a specialized program. We hope that he makes a full recovery.
We hope that your family is having a healthy summer. Should you ever need our help, feel free to give us a call at 866-981-5596. We are always here for you.
The California injury lawyers at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie have been helping accident victims throughout Orange County and Southern California since 1974.