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Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a rare disease with a spectrum of symptoms, typically severe pain, resulting from compression or irritation of arteries, nerves, or veins. This can happen in one or more of the brachial plexus (nerves), subclavian vein, or subclavian artery. This occurs in the body region known as the thoracic outlet—the area between the neck and the underarm (axilla) below the collarbone (clavicle). Compression of a nerve or blood vessel produces different clinical impacts. The disease and symptoms result in significant disability and a profoundly diminished quality of life.
TOS patients frequently feel isolated and uncertain about options that they have available in both treatment and funding. We want to create a center of knowledge of patient stories, and help bring the community together.
Change larger policy landscape that underlies TOS treatment in Canada is necessary. Canadian patients are faced with a double whammy of pain and a complex process of advocating for themselves. We seek to shift the policy view of TOS.
We want to bring together the leading surgeons in Canada, USA and abroad, to help share education and learnings of how TOS can be treated.