Certain deformities can cause body bones to shift or take a new shape. Some of these deformities include pectus carinatum and scoliosis. Unfortunately, these medical conditions can quickly worsen if one doesn’t pay adequate attention to rectify the situation.
The optimal development of your body or child’s body lies in how well you take note of any deformity. Once you identify one, you can take the proper steps to fix it. This article will discuss pectus carinatum and scoliosis as two common deformities you should know about.
Pectus Carinatum
Pectus Carinatum is a deformity that propels the breastbone outward instead of being aligned with the chest. You can also find this deformity referred to as ‘keel chest’ or ‘pigeon chest.’ If you see a person’s chest wall with a visible outward appearance, this might be a cause. That’s because the cartilage triggers unequal growth in the rib region.
The bone appearance might be more evident for some people on one side than the other. In this case, the other side appears to have a dip, which is medically known as ‘pectus excavatum.’
Symptoms
The most conspicuous symptom of pectus carinatum is the outward appearance of the breastbone. Nevertheless, there are other symptoms you might experience.
These include:
- Pain in the rib and chest region
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness
- Asthma
- Speedy heart rate
Therefore, when you notice any of these signs alongside some strange growth in the breastbone region, then you might want to consult an expert to determine whether you suffer from pectus carinatum.
Types
Pectus Carinatum generally comes in two forms, as described below:
Chondrogladiolar Prominence: This is the form of pectus carinatum that causes the lower and middle regions of the breastbone to shoot out. Also known as ‘chicken breast,’ this is the most common medical condition.
Chondromanubrial Prominence: This pectus carinatum type causes the breastbone to have the shape of Z. As opposed to Chondrogladiolar Prominence, this condition is rare. Some also refer to it as ‘Pouter pigeon breast.’
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pectus carinatum requires the services of an expert — a doctor. Since this has to do with bone, you’ll likely first have to do an X-ray showing the present condition of your chest area. That provides the doctor with the needed insight to see if any part is abnormally shaped.
Other crucial tests that may come up during the procedure include computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. These are most useful when the doctor is considering surgery.
The doctor will also check for related conditions such as Marfan syndrome and scoliosis in some instances. Scoliosis is another deformity that affects a bone in the body and can cause it to grow abnormally.
Scoliosis
When you see someone using a scoliosis brace or pectus carinatum brace, they have any of these medical conditions. Scoliosis, just like pectus carinatum, causes abnormality in bone growth. However, while the latter has to do with the chest region, scoliosis appears on the spine. The medical condition can cause the spine to grow far from the standard curve.
Symptoms
The ultimate determinant of scoliosis symptoms is the degree of the medical condition. The higher the degree, the more acute the symptoms.
Nevertheless, the symptoms generally include:
- Imbalanced shoulder blades
- Hips appear uneven
- Rotating spine
- Acute back pain
- Breathing problems
Noticing any of these symptoms alongside an abnormal spine curve can be all you need to consult a doctor.
Types
Scoliosis comes in different forms, determined mainly by the age group in question. Generally, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) confirms that the most common form of scoliosis is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
The medical condition can also be categorized as follows:
- Congenital: Here, the deformity of the spine is apparent from birth
- Neurological: Here, the abnormality of the nerves have adverse effects on the spine
To diagnose this medical condition, the doctor will also have to conduct an X-ray and other necessary tests to have complete knowledge of the bone location and abnormality.
Bracing Solutions for Pectus Carinatum and Scoliosis
Bracing is perhaps the most effective way to address pectus carinatum and scoliosis, also known as orthosis, especially when these conditions are still mild. Concerning pectus carinatum, a custom-fitted brace designed for the chest area will do.
How a brace works is simple. Orthotists build these devices to support the area that requires attention. This form of support places pressure on the region and gradually gets it back into shape. A child using a pectus carinatum brace will have to do so for about 8 hours per day. This should be based on the doctor’s instructions. Depending on the degree of the medical condition, a child suffering pectus carinatum might have to use a brace until puberty.
Similarly, addressing scoliosis also involves the use of a scoliosis brace. You can get a scoliosis brace for adults and children. This device is designed to support the spine and prevent the abnormal curve from worsening. Doing this early also reduces your likelihood of surgery. A scoliosis brace remains the available option to mitigate the medical condition.
Another option available for treating scoliosis is Schroth therapy. This therapy involves using specially-designed exercises to correct the spine and restore it to its original position. If you want to go the Schroth therapy way, you must be ready to exercise a great deal of patience and consistency. Additionally, nothing stops you from leveraging these exercises to complement using a scoliosis brace.
Final Thoughts on Pectus Carinatum and Scoliosis
The first step towards treating pectus carinatum or scoliosis is identifying the medical condition. As discussed in this article, a doctor is all you need for this. Following a couple of tests, you’ll have the confirmation you require.
After that, you can determine the best bracing solutions based on your body preferences and needs. Whether scoliosis bracing for adults or pectus carinatum bracing for children, these solutions will help you address the medical condition as quickly as practical.
