When Conner, a lifelong baseball player from New Freedom, PA, started experiencing sharp pain in his shoulder and numbness in his arm during his junior year, his dreams of playing college ball were suddenly at risk. The 17-year-old outfielder could barely throw, and even daily activities left him in pain. What followed was a frustrating medical journey — misdiagnoses, inconclusive tests, and weeks of rest and physical therapy that only made things worse — until he found answers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Searching for relief — and answers

Conner’s symptoms started subtly: a nagging ache in his neck and shoulder, and tingling in his arm that came and went. By spring 2024, the discomfort was constant, and he couldn’t play without pain. An initial X-ray suggested a stress fracture, but rest didn’t help. Visits to orthopedic specialists and physical therapy didn’t solve the problem — and in some cases, made things worse. 

Eventually, a doctor raised the possibility of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), a condition caused by compression of nerves between the collarbone and first rib. Neurogenic TOS can cause numbness, tingling and weakness of the upper extremity.  

A positive diagnostic test confirmed the suspicion of TOS. With few local options for next steps, his mother, Jenny, began looking into specialists who could provide more definitive answers and long-term relief for her son.  

Finding the right team to treat thoracic outlet syndrome 

Jenny’s search eventually led her to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where a second opinion with Alexander Fairman, MD, Director of Pediatric Vascular Surgery at CHOP, who has extensive experience treating TOS in athletes, made all the difference. 

“Listening to Dr. Fairman during our first conversation with him, I understood everything he said,” recalls Conner. “He was so easy-going. When he stepped out of the room, I told my mom I wanted him to be my doctor.” 

Before recommending surgery, Dr. Fairman had Conner complete an ultrasound and other diagnostic testing to help confirm that the symptoms were caused by nerve compression and not another pathology. Additionally, a Botox injection was performed and offered temporary relief, but it wasn’t a long-term solution. 

Dr. Fairman met with the family and explained his surgical technique: a first rib resection through an incision above the collarbone, designed to create space and decompress the tissue surrounding the nerve bundle (brachial plexus). While some surgeons only remove part of the rib through an underarm incision, Dr. Fairman’s method allows for complete removal of the rib and decompression of the brachial plexus — and for Conner, it offered the best chance at long-term relief and a return to baseball. Dr. Fairman’s confidence, based on his experience and the initial positive response to Botox, reassured the family.  

“Dr. Fairman really involved us in making the best decision for Conner,” says Jenny. “He’s done many TOS surgeries, including on professional athletes, and was quite confident Conner would be able to return to baseball.” 

A comeback story after TOS surgery

In January 2025, Conner underwent surgery to remove his first rib and relieve the nerve compression. The results were immediate. Within days of surgery, the numbness was gone. Conner stayed at CHOP for two nights, and after a few weeks of restrictions (no lifting or driving), he was cleared to slowly return to normal activities. 

By early March, Conner was back on the field, practicing with his high school team. Less than six months after surgery, his throws had regained their full strength, and the pain was gone. 

Conner recently began his freshman year at King's College, where he was recruited to play baseball, fulfilling his dream of competing at the college level.

“It was a long road to get here,” says Jenny. “There were many sleepless nights wondering if he’d be able to play again — or if the symptoms would worsen and cause permanent nerve damage. But now he’s healthy, happy and chasing his dreams.”