Will I need surgery for my thoracic outlet syndrome?

Conservative treatment options are prescribed for most people with thoracic outlet syndrome. However, if these methods don't relieve your symptoms or are causing serious complications due to nerve or blood vessel compression, you may need surgery to treat this disorder. Surgery will lessen the pressure on the affected nerve or blood vessel or remove an obstruction like an extra clavicle rib, a cause of thoracic outlet syndrome. Surgery is not typically recommended for tight muscles; it is more commonly performed on compressed nerves. True neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome is almost always treated with surgery.