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 and Questions
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hi my name is Danny i have pectus excavatum im 27 and a thin lad. iv been trying to put on waight for years and nothing seems to be working could this be down to the condition i have ?
My son under went surgery in December 2009, for his Severe Pectus Excavatum.He was 14. He had a gap of 3cm between his breast bone and his back bone in the middle of his chest. He to could not keep up with the other kids playing sport and he was also have chest pain.He had two Bars put in his chest as one was not enough because it was so severe.He was in alot of pain after the surgery,so much pain he had wished he hadnt had it done.It has taken him almost 6 months to be back to some kind of normal. It has made a differance in his appearance to us but not him.He is still very thin so we are hoping that when he gains some wait and starts to do some chest excerises that will help him with the look he was hoping for. So think long and hard about it before you consider this operation it is alot harder than you think.
im 14 and ive had what i know as a " pidgeon chest" for as long as i can remember. its where instead of it sticking in i have bone in my chest that is sticking out and its kind of awkard just looking at it and other people seeing it at school in the changing rooms, plus my shirts feel uncomfortable because it sticks out :(
same here! just be confident, don't let it affect your day to day life. if it really bothers you try wearing a push up bra as it generally disguises it :)
im 14 and i started to get a funnel chest when i hitted puberty and about 12 years old. It has never affected my confidence as it just makes my boobs look bigger, i have been quite lucky and i havent got any health problems connected to it either i just get tired out easily because there is less room for the lungs. I am very much into my sport and it only affects it by getting tired out quicker than normal. But i have a question; if you have a funnel chest do you get big boobs?
hey, i'm 21 and have pectus excavatum, i'm awaiting my surgery date for repair, getting it done this summer. I was offered this procedure on the NHS when I was 14 but I was too young to fully understand what I was going to go through, I felt too young to have the procedure done. I am now 21 and feel like I an old enough to deal with the recovery. Although it is mostly cosmetic, I have had problems with breathing and playing sport was difficult as I became out of breath, I also suffered from back pain, although test have been done and concluded that this was nothing to do with pectus. I have learnt that this is nothing to feel embarrassed about as anyone I have told or anyone that has even seen it has never had a problem with it :)
I was wondering if the repair op for this can be given on the NHS if there are no ill affects from it (if it doesnt cause problems), as ive heard they will only repair it if it does. Also do doctors take this seriously because mine said my chest is normal, except i do have a huge dent and 'flaired ribs'. I was hoping something could be done but feel it will never be sorted.
hey, yes this operation is available on the NHS. I have my surgery date set for next monday.
Hey, I am 26 and have Pectus Excavatum. When I was young I found it hard but the past few months I have hit the weights and gym alot and for all the guys how have this you can use it to your advantage. By putting on a little extra weight and doing some weights you can really develop a defined look in your chest and makes coping with it much easier. Hey there is a positive in everything if you have the right attitude. Best of luck
my son is 10 and we have just bin told that hes has ppectus excavatum and the doctor has told me to keep an eye on it and that when he is 14 or 15 that he will need surgery but i think that is to long to wait is there any thing that can be done now as he is very insurcure about it ?
I am 14 and i also have the condition, to be honest it really dosent bother me but when it comes to running at school i cant run very far because of it,and after running i feel like all my chest is closing and its hard for me to breath, when my friends see it they think its discusting but we all laugh about it in the end and i have also realised no much how i eat i never put weight on but i dont know if its because of my condition, or just a naturall thing.
Im 16 and was diagnosed with pectus excacatum in feb. I don't have a very severe case but the "dip" in my chest is noticeable n my ribs and colllar bone are dodgy. cosmetically it doesn't bother me but i suffer shortness of breath, easily get stiches when exercising and suffer the same sensation of my chest closing in on itself. i am also very skinny but i eat loads i also thought this was just natural until i read this page.
hey im 18 have small breast and have pectus. I can find bras that fit me but what i really want for a confidence boost is a push up bra however non of them can fit does anyone know of any that could. im size b by the way.
Hi, I'm 15 years old and suffer from pectus encavatum. I do a lot of sport, and so I was wondering whether a build up of muscle in the torso would shadow my condition, in oppose to surgery. Would this help?
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