Conservative treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome using an orthosis.

We describe a strapping device for elevation of the shoulder in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). The device was used by 86 patients with TOS whose symptoms had been alleviated by passively raising the shoulder. Symptoms of TOS were classified as proximal, including pain in the shoulder girdle, and distal, in which there were neurological deficits related to the brachial plexus. The device was more effective in patients with distal symptoms: pain disappeared or improved in 67% of patients; numbness in 85%; sensory disturbance in 84%; and motor disturbance in 80%. However, proximal symptoms were relieved in only 65% of the patients. The ability to perform activities of daily living was rated as excellent in 33% of patients, good in 44%, fair in 12%, and poor in 9%. The shoulder orthosis described in this report can counterbalance downward traction on the brachial plexus and reduce the tension on it, thereby relieving symptoms of TOS.