pectus carinatum

[Elias824]

here is the wiki link, basically your sternium is screwed up and has too much cartilage and as a result your chest kind of sticks out, pectus excavatum is similar but your chest is more sunk in.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pectus_carinatum
I was lucky enough to have such an interesting deformity, ive had it looked at before when I was alot younger (im 21 now) and its not a huge issue, but it dose affect your stamina though im not sure how much My question is do you guy know anyone that has had this as well, or maybe had it fixed? I haven't been able to find much information on it other then just a general explanation. Pectus excavatum I believe is more prevalent, I know a few friends who have that, everyone ive met with a similar deformity is very skinny.

 

[Lamont Burns]

I have excavatum, and got it fixed when I was... 17? It made a lot of difference, but the procedure back then was a bit more crude.

In any case I did have some issues with sports and stamina, so I decided to get the fix.

I was a skinny kid, I add to that common denominator. My father also has it, so perhaps genes played a role.

So, instead of a truncated chest I have a scar. It was only slightly more than a wash imo for the big picture.

There's an actor out there that has carinatum, but the name escapes me now. There's not much you can do, either surgically get it fixed or don't. I don't know of any other options.



Edit: I know 3 other people who have excavatum. Randomly in college my roommate and a friend down the hall had it. Weird, yes. In any case, one had a fix done by someone more versed in the process, and his scars are very small, up around each armpit on the side of his body. Mine is straight down the middle, about 4 inches.

I think if you look into a fix, ask these questions. Thoracic surgeon methods vary, apparently. I was able to get mine covered by insurance to some degree back then. I'm not sure how it's treated by carriers these days. You'll need to prove some serious issues health wise. Additionally, I spent 5 days in a hospital afterward.

I can't tell if your interest is in stamina or aesthetics here tho.

 

[Elias824]

I first got it looked it when i was maybe 14ish? the doctor at the time made it seems like the stamina issue was very very minor, but everything ive been reading since then seems to put it at noticeable.

 

[crt1530]

I know somebody who had surgery to fix pectus excavatum. They have a bar inserted under their ribcage to push the cartilage back up. It is pretty uncomfortable and has to stay in for a long time (several months to over a year).

 

[Merithynos]

I had surgery to fix pectus carinatum at 13 or so (20 years ago). I have a 5-6 inch horizontal scar, and a lot of tenderness in the area, still. I also had to wear a brace and chest shield 24 hours a day for 6 months, then only during the day for another 6 months. It was probably a solid 2 years before it healed enough for me to play contact sports.

 

[Lamont Burns]

I would have benefited from a shield but didn't get one. In fact I went back into activities too soon and you can tell a bit in one spot that is just... weird.

@CRT - things have come a long way then. Had no idea they would open your chest twice for it. Seems like a lot more expense and hospital time.

 

[Elias824]

I had surgery to fix pectus carinatum at 13 or so (20 years ago). I have a 5-6 inch horizontal scar, and a lot of tenderness in the area, still. I also had to wear a brace and chest shield 24 hours a day for 6 months, then only during the day for another 6 months. It was probably a solid 2 years before it healed enough for me to play contact sports.

so was it worth it? I know they have come up with a few new techniques more recently but I dont really know if the recovery time is better. Did you have better endurance after you were done? or any benefit other then appearance?