Skip to main content

Main menu

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • Other Publications
    • abfm

User menu

Search

  • Advanced search
American Board of Family Medicine
  • Other Publications
    • abfm
American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

Advanced Search

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • JABFM on Bluesky
  • JABFM On Facebook
  • JABFM On Twitter
  • JABFM On YouTube
Review ArticleClinical Review

The Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Athletes

Andrew W. Nichols
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice September 1996, 9 (5) 346-355; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.9.5.346
Andrew W. Nichols
MD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

Background: The array of symptoms that characterize thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) often lead to a failure or delay in diagnosing this condition in persons who are physically active.

Methods: Using the key words and phrases “thoracic outlet syndrome,” “sport,” “exercise,” and “athlete,” the MEDLINE files from 1991 to April 1996 were searched. Articles dating before 1991 were accessed by cross-referencing the more recent articles.

Results and Conclusions: TOS results from compression of the neural or vascular structures of the upper extremity at the thoracic outlet. Clinical manifestations can include upper extremity pain, paresthesias, numbness, weakness, fatigability, swelling, discoloration, and Raynaud phenomenon. Four symptom patterns have been described: upper plexus, lower plexus, vascular, and mixed. The lower brachial plexus pattern is the most common. Specific causes of outlet compression include injury to the scalene or scapular suspensory muscles, anomalous fibromuscular bands, cervical ribs, clavicular deformity, and pectoralis minor tendon hypertrophy. The diagnosis of TOS is established on the results of the history and physical examination. Ancillary studies are most helpful to rule out other conditions rather than confirm the diagnosis of TOS. In most cases the initial treatment is nonoperative with an emphasis on rehabilitative exercises for the neck and shoulder girdle. Surgery is indicated for acute vascular insufficiency, progressive neurologic dysfunction, and refractory pain that fails conservative treatment. The surgical technique involves the release or removal of the structures that cause compression and can involve scalene muscle release, first rib resection, cervical rib excision, and resection of fibromuscular bands.

PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

The Journal of the American Board of Family     Practice: 9 (5)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
Vol. 9, Issue 5
1 Sep 1996
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • Index by author
  • Back Matter (PDF)
  • Front Matter (PDF)
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Board of Family Medicine.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
The Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Athletes
(Your Name) has sent you a message from American Board of Family Medicine
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Board of Family Medicine web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
8 + 12 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
Citation Tools
The Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Athletes
Andrew W. Nichols
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Sep 1996, 9 (5) 346-355; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.9.5.346

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
The Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Athletes
Andrew W. Nichols
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Sep 1996, 9 (5) 346-355; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.9.5.346
Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Jump to section

  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Interpretating Normal Values and Reference Ranges for Laboratory Tests
  • Non-Surgical Management of Urinary Incontinence
  • Screening and Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes in Sickle Cell Disease
Show more Clinical Review

Similar Articles

Navigate

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues

Authors & Reviewers

  • Info For Authors
  • Info For Reviewers
  • Submit A Manuscript/Review

Other Services

  • Get Email Alerts
  • Classifieds
  • Reprints and Permissions

Other Resources

  • Forms
  • Contact Us
  • ABFM News

© 2025 American Board of Family Medicine

Powered by HighWire