UAB Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Assistant Professor Jarrad Rowse, M.D., was recently featured on UAB’s MedCast to discuss insights into thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), and his approach to treating the condition.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Rowse provided an overview of TOS. He explained the three main types of TOS—neurogenic, venous, and arterial—why they develop, how they are diagnosed, and the multidisciplinary treatment approaches used to manage them.
Dr. Rowse explained that neurogenic TOS is often difficult to identify. While venous and arterial TOS can be diagnosed using ultrasound, neurogenic TOS requires careful consideration of patient symptoms and history.
For treatment, Dr. Rowse emphasized a multidisciplinary approach. He explains that the first line of treatment for most patients is physical therapy (PT) to relieve pain. If PT does not work, surgical options may be considered. Dr. Rowse explained the importance of his collaboration with specialists at UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine to ensure his patient is being well-cared for and getting all the treatment he or she needs. He pointed out that pain management is also a key component of the treatment plan, not only to address symptoms, but to assist in areas beyond his own specialty.
“Not every patient that I see that's referred for neurogenic TOS has it,” Rowse said. “A lot of them will have carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, lots of these other nerve compression syndromes. And so it's great to have other colleagues who can help take care of those patients as well and get them expeditious care.”
Dr. Rowse tries to avoid surgery whenever possible, but many patients do require it to restore blood flow. He emphasized that prompt intervention by vascular surgeons is crucial to achieving the best long-term outcomes for TOS patients.
“I think really listening to our patients and not dismissing some of their concerns is really of utmost importance in this diagnosis,” Rowse said. “Most patients, if treated early, can expect positive outcomes.”
To listen to the full episode visit UAB MedCast website.