What is chest bracing therapy?

Also known as: pectus carinatum treatment, pigeon chest treatment, chest bracing, external sternum bracing, external brace therapy.

Chest bracing therapy is a treatment used in children with mild or moderate pigeon chest, also called pectus carinatum. This is a condition where the breast bone (sternum) protrudes, either symmetrically or asymmetrically.  This therapy involves using an external brace to reshape the chest into a more conventional contour, much in the same way orthodontia remodels the tooth sockets to hold the teeth straight.

Protruding chest before and after chest bracing therapy.

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Reviewed by: Cathy Anne Burnweit, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM