Slide 37 of 75
Notes:
Thoracic outlet syndrome -- both arteries and nerves are compressed, limiting the blood flow to already sick nerves. Signs include pain in entire arm, numbness, coldness, and weakness in the fingers, hand, and forearm. Symptoms can be provoked by carrying heavy loads, or working with the arms elevated, such as when writing on a blackboard or holding a subway strap.
Raynaud’s phenomenon -- primary symptoms are cold, pale fingers due to blood vessel constriction. There can also be painful sensitivity, tingling, and numbness. Secondary Reynaud’s phenomenon occurs in the presence of an underlying disorder such as trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and connective tissue disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus. In primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (sometimes called Raynaud’s disease), these predisposing causes are absent. Primary Raynaud’s is five times more common in women than men, and usually affects both hands. Secondary doesn’t have much difference between women and men and usually affects one hand more. Often associated with vibrating tools, so sometimes called “vibration syndrome”.
