Conditions
Funnel Chest
This condition is variously known as cobbler’s chest, sunken chest or pectus excavatum. It is caused when several ribs grow abnormally, leaving the chest to cave in. Although some may see this as a purely cosmetic issue, it can cause pain in the chest and the back as well as impairing cardiac and respiratory function. Although it’s cause is not fully understood, there is evidence of a genetic connection. Treatment can include surgery through the Ravitch or Nuss techniques, as well as the insertion of a vacuum bell to correct the abnormality.
Comments
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I'm an 18 year old girl, I have had this my whole life. It didn't bother me so much when I was younger until I hit puberty, the sternum caved in even more and my ribs stuck out alot. When lying on the beach in a bikini I had someone walk past and say i looked disgusting other friends and people have pointed out how my ribs stick out so much. This made me so concious of myself and I hated it.
I always thought I couldn't have anything done about it until I saw the series of embarrassing bodies. I got in touch with my GP who referred me to a specialist at a hospital. I am now waiting to hear when my op will be. This just shows something can be done about it.
i have this. i'm exactly the same as the person below. i cant get bras to fit, its painfull. it makes me look fat as my ribs at the bottom stick out. my friedns all say it makes me me but i hate it and it really bothers me:(
Hi I am 23 years old and have had a funnel chest all my life! I think it is genetic as my dad and brother have it too but I seem to have a deeper hole and have larger ribs! I have a hole in my chest so bras and bikinis do not sit on my chest and my ribs stick out quite alot! I have hated this all my life and very ashamed of it! I cant wear fitted tops as you can see my ribs through it and looks like im trying to breath in all the time its awful! I always wondered if there was something that can be done about them but have no idea where to start?? I have always had shortness of breath but been told many times that I do not have asthma off my gp and suffer from alot of palpertations especially at the night but had no idea that my disgusting chest could be the cause of these problems!
I have this and hate it. Bullied all through high school and now in college never allow anyone to see it when i used to go swimming i used to cross my arms and cover the bottom of my ribs as they stick outwards. Looking from an angle it looks like i have boobs. Those with children with it, I would reccomend that you get it fixed like i wish mine was but dunno where to start as my gp simply says there nothing wrong, but im not blind.
had it since i can remember never botherd me and iv bin a competitive swimmer since i was 9. never once botherd me and since iv been swimming no one has ever even asked me about it
My son had this condition and was very self concious, depressed and embarrassed about it. It also affected his breathing and he had heart palpitations (which may or may not have been connected to this). The GP was not sympathetic but did refer him to a specialist who instantly agreed that he should have the operation on the NHS. He had the operation 2 years ago following his GCSEs aged 16 and his chest now looks normal, he is very happy with the results and can now play rugby, surf and do all the things teenagers should be doing. I would recommend this operation – dont be put off by your GP, try and get an appointment with the consultant as they know much more about this condition.
I have an average case of this, but im too scared to tell my doctor or even my parents. What should i do :/
i'm 15 and i have a funnel chest. i didnt think it bothered me any more but the other day i was watching some music videos and i just kept thinking i'll never look like that and i started crying. so i went to the doctors because its painful to touch and and randomly. but the doctor said it was all in my head but i know its not. so he took a blood test and i scan to see if there was anything wrong to make it soar and there isnt but he knows it hurts to touch. its quite deep and my ribs stick out abnormally as-well. i think i'm completely deformed and dont go swimming or anything like that but i'm going on holiday in a bit and think it will be t-shirts all day as normal. i have never been teased about it because i never let any body see. and it also has become that intended that i now have a crease from my chest to my just above stomach. i know you can have a metal bar or something put in to correct it but i was just wondering if there was anything else?
my son has it he is 9 at the moment and he is self concious when he goes swimming as he folds his arms when hes not in the water , im just worried of how it affect him when he gets older and starts secondry school?
I have had a hole in my chest since I was born and it hasnt bovered me once. I am not scared to take my top off. It is unique so let everyone see it :D
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