Deformation of the chest refers to a change in its correct physiological form. This pathology can be either a congenital disease or an acquired one. The chest is a kind of trunk frame, consisting of musculoskeletal tissue. Its main function is the protection of internal organs. Therefore, any modification of the chest will inevitably cause certain disturbances in the work of the heart, lungs, etc.
Congenital deformities in medical practice are quite common, their appearance is due to abnormalities in the development of the ribs, spine, shoulder blades, sternum, muscle tissue.
The two most common types of this disease are the funnel-shaped and keeled chest deformities. These diseases are congenital pathologies of the development of musculoskeletal tissue. Subsequently, these defects can lead to underdevelopment of the sternum, ribs, muscles.
Funnel deformation
For this type of disease, a hollow chest is characteristic . This defect, which is a danger to human health, can have a significant impact on the normal functioning of the lungs and heart.
Scientists believe that a funnel-shaped breast can form even in fetal development. The risk of this pathology increases if the fetus has a sternum ligament, dysplasia, and underdevelopment of costal cartilage.
There are several degrees of development of a keeled form of the disease, depending on the depth of chest retraction:
In the first and second degrees, deformation does not cause disturbances in the work of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It creates only cosmetic and psychological inconvenience. With the third degree of the disease, functional disorders of the main body systems are inevitable.
Keeled chest deformity
In people, this ailment is called "chicken breast". In people with this diagnosis, the rib cage seems to bulge outward. Being an exclusively aesthetic defect, this specific feature usually does not pose a particular danger to the patient's health.
However, in some cases, keeled chest deformities may necessitate surgery. Pathology is eliminated with the following indications:
- violation of the internal organs: lungs, heart, major vessels;
- the emergence of problems associated with adaptation in society. This specific disease can cause the development of an inferiority complex in a child , due to the fact that surrounding children try to avoid communicating with him. Gradually, this can lead to isolation of the baby in society.
Usually, parents notice a pathology in the development of the musculoskeletal tissue of the child quite early. The funnel-shaped and keeled chest deformities are subject to correction both surgically and conservatively.
Traditional methods of treatment include the use of a corset, orthoses, vacuum, the use of exercise therapy procedures and pressure on the keel with special devices. The patient is recommended to engage in several sports: rowing, volleyball, swimming, basketball. And specially selected exercises can stop the further course of the disease. However, the application of these treatment methods in practice is considered ineffective.
With a pronounced deformation, the operation is the most effective method of eliminating the defect.
In medical practice, a flat chest is often found. This pathology is absolutely safe for human health, it does not cause disturbances in the work of the organs of the chest cavity. Deformation occurs due to the uneven growth of the chest, in which its anteroposterior size is less than the norm.