Surgery is a serious proposition for anyone, but what if your career depends on it? Thoracic outlet syndrome is a condition that occur when blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib are compressed. It can cause numbness in your fingers and pain in your shoulder. While this provides challenges for all afflicted with it, this condition could effectively end a professional baseball pitcher’s career.
Thankfully, there have been major improvements in treating this ailment. According to a study in the Annals of Vascular Surgery, surgery can now not only restore a pitcher’s previous ability, but may even allow them to pitch at a higher level than before. The research followed thirteen pitchers who underwent Thoracic outlet surgery between July 2001 and July 2014. Ten of the pitchers returned to the mound at or above their previous levels of performance. Others were forced to retire from various injuries not related to Thoracic outlet syndrome.
Diagnosing the condition can be difficult, as athletes tend to play through the pain. Additionally, there are much more common pitcher injuries that may have similar symptoms. Use this as a reminder not to ignore your own symptoms! The sooner the condition is treated, the sooner you can be on the road to recovery – and maybe even toss a few fastballs in the backyard!
