sunken sternum

martin · Newbie Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 1

what can be done with a sunken sturnam on a 49 year old? please

DennisD. · Silver Member Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 153

Sunken sternum is a congenital disorder, present even before you were born. Are you experiencing problems just now? sunken sternum a.k.a Pectus Excavatum may lead to cardiac and pulmonary problems, as well as lead to connective tissue disorder.

You need to talk to a doctor (I suppose you already have) and undergo an appropriate treatment depending on your individual situation and severity of the problem. What kind of symptoms are you experiencing?

Sunken sternum or Pectus Excavatum needs to be taken care of surgically as there are no medications that could fix the symptoms or the disorder.
An old technique called The Ravitch Technique involves cracking the ribs and raising up the chest. Another procedure called The Nuss Procedure involves placing metal bars under the sternum to force the chest up. These bars need to be removed some years after, which means undergoing another surgery.

A relatively new procedure involves placing plastic mesh bands instead of metal plates. These bands are not removed as the body would heal around them.

Have you already talked to a surgeon about any form of treatment?

watermd · Newbie Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

need to know what it may be please look at subject line

sunken sternum

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