Diagnostics of the pigeon breast

The diagnosis can already be made during the physical examination, so it is a gaze diagnosis. This is often supported by X-rays, which allow an exact representation and assessment of the characteristics. Due to the psychological problems, the therapy of patients with a pigeon breast also consists primarily of psychological care, especially if the severity of the malformation does not justify an operation.

Conservatively, the application of a pad bandage can otherwise be attempted. In this case, a bandage is applied, which exerts pressure on the protruding area of the pigeon breast in a targeted manner and thus should guide the growth to a normal appearance. However, a pigeon breast must be very painful, because the often uncomfortable wearing of the bandage over a long period of time is necessary for this measure to be successful.

Furthermore, this possibility can only be considered as long as the patient with a pigeon breast is still in the growth phase. In these cases a good result can be achieved. Rarely is there an indication for surgery for a pigeon breast.

This is only indicated if the physical findings are very pronounced, e.g. if the pigeon breast is really only indicated in rare cases in patients with a pigeon breast and should only be performed after the growth phase is complete. In most cases, relatively small accesses are chosen for pigeon breast surgery, so that only small scars remain. As a rule, the sternum is detached from the vertebrae and corresponding parts of the vertebrae are removed without opening the cavity of the ribcage.

Furthermore, depending on the extent of the pigeon chest, the sternum is also split transversely and parts are removed or the sternum is reassembled at a different angle to compensate for the protrusion. Subsequently, the ribs are also reattached to the sternum, usually by means of metal clips or wires, which have to be removed again after some time. Surgery on a pigeon breast usually has a good chance of success.

However, as with any surgery, there are risks involved, which is why an indication must be weighed up carefully.

Restrictions in breathing are present,
The bulge protrudes so far forward that the skin is chafed by clothing
When, in addition to the physical image, there is a very great psychological distress.

In addition to the surgical treatment, there are now also some conservative approaches in the treatment of a pigeon breast, where the pigeon breast is not immediately repositioned, as in an operation, but is slowly reduced in a longer process. An individually tailored corset is used, which must be worn for several hours per day.

The treatment should be started as early as possible, which is why it is particularly popular with very young patients, as the chest is more flexible and malleable than in adults. The success of the therapy and the feeling for an orthosis or bandage depends on the individual patient. Some patients find wearing a support very uncomfortable, but pain is rarely reported.

Prior to this, a doctor should be consulted, who will issue a prescription so that the costs can be covered by the health insurance company. A so-called pad can be used for a pigeon breast. This is a custom-made, individual bandage, which is strapped to the chest or back in the form of a hemispherical object.

Strong compression from the outside corrects the malposition. It is a popular method especially for young patients, as their chest is still very well malleable. The bandage must be checked and adjusted regularly.

A first step against a pigeon chest is to try to mobilize the breast as much as possible. Two small balls or a blackrole can be used, for example, which are placed under the thoracic spine to the right and left of the vertebrae. By moving the body up and down, stiffening between the vertebrae can be loosened.

Patients with a pigeon chest often have difficulty breathing, which is why breathing exercises are particularly important. These exercises can also be performed in combination with the above.For example, an exercise could consist of taking a deep breath, holding it for 2-3 seconds and then exhaling slowly for 6 seconds. Such exercises train the diaphragm and improve the breathing of a pigeon breast.

It is also important for a pigeon breast to have sufficient strength training to strengthen the muscles in the trunk and back to counteract the incorrect posture. This can take the form of knee bends or push-ups, for example. It is best to get help and advice from a physiotherapist and work out an individual exercise plan together.

Sports such as swimming and gymnastics are also recommended. From a medical point of view, pigeon breast itself does not cause any physical symptoms in the vast majority of cases. In rare cases, breathing may be slightly impaired.

If the chest is particularly protruding, chafing and superficial abrasions caused by clothing are possible, so that surgery is advisable in such cases. However, most surgical procedures are performed due to psychological stress and subjective discomfort. Basically there are two methods of surgical procedure: the best time for surgery is after puberty, as growth is completed by then.

The open surgery aims to reduce the protruding part of the ribcage to a normal level. Usually under general anesthesia, the ribs are first separated from the sternum, and then a precisely determined portion of the excess cartilage is removed. In this way, the sternum is lowered to the desired height and reattached to the ribs at the connection with screws or plates.

Another method, known as the “nut technique”, is a minimally invasive procedure, which means that you operate through a very small incision, thus reducing the risk of complications and also the pain after the operation; colloquially known as keyhole surgery. In this procedure, a metal bow is implanted and thus the pigeon chest is pressed down. However, this technique is much more common and known for the funnel chest, i.e. the opposite of the pigeon chest; thus, it has not yet been able to establish itself for the pigeon chest.

Overall, the chances are good that a satisfactory result can be achieved after surgery on the pigeon breast. It may be necessary to make further corrections. However, the benefits must always be weighed up carefully against the risks of each operation.

The open surgery and
Minimally invasive corrections

There are different approaches for a surgical procedure on a pigeon breast, so it is difficult to say exactly how much the operation will cost. It often depends on whether it is an open or minimally invasive operation, on how pronounced the pigeon breast is and on the age of the patient. It is best to consult the doctor in charge or the health insurance company and possibly to consult one or two other opinions of other doctors before making a decision on surgery.

The costs of an operation are usually covered by the health insurance company. However, here too, it depends on the patient’s age, insurance and other factors, which is why consultation with the insurance company should also be held before the operation. For patients under 18 years of age, the costs are usually covered in full, for older patients with some insurance companies only partially. It is important to see a doctor beforehand, also to get conservative means, such as bandages or orthoses, covered by the health insurance.