If
you've ever had a rib flare, you know it's not fun. Rib flare is when your ribs
are so flared out that they look like they're about to burst through your skin.
While this isn't a serious medical condition, it can be uncomfortable and even
painful for some people, especially if the flare is severe enough. And,
unfortunately, rib flare is very common in growing children and during
adolescence.
The
good news is that there are many ways to treat rib flares, including using a
brace. In this article, we'll explain how
to fix rib flare with Dakota Brace solution:
What Is a Flared Rib Cage?
The
rib cage is a bony part of the skeleton that encloses and protects the lungs,
heart, and other internal organs. The shape of the rib cage can be affected by
factors such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and overall
body structure.
A
flared rib cage is when the ribs flare out to the sides of your chest,
making it appear as though you have an uneven rib cage. People with a flared rib cage can also have back pain,
breathing issues and other complications.
While
it's normal for your rib cage to expand when you inhale, in people with a
flared rib cage, this expansion happens on both inhalation and exhalation. This
can make it difficult for them to take a deep breath or hold their breath for
very long without discomfort.
What Causes Flared Ribs?
There
are several reasons for a flared rib cage. Some
of the most common reasons include:
Pectus Carinatum vs Rib Flare
Pectus
carinatum is an abnormality resulting in
an overgrowth of the cartilage forming the breastbone. This can result in the
breastbone region sticking out from the remainder of the chest.
However,
when ribs stick out, it’s called rib flare. Flared ribs is a congenital
disability that results in a pushed-out or disfigured chest. Rib flare can be
present at birth or may develop over time, causing your child to exhibit
symptoms such as shortness of breath and pain when exercising.
Flared
ribs are more common in young children but may also occur during adolescence.
Genetics
Some
people are genetically predisposed to developing flared ribs due to their
family history. If flare-ups go away on their own without treatment, you should
consult your doctor about genetic testing to see if there is a genetic link to
your condition.
Muscular Imbalance
The
most common cause of flared ribs is muscular imbalance. This can be caused by
many things but is often due to poor posture and improper breathing habits.
It's easy to see how this can happen when you consider how much time we spend
sitting at desks and in front of computers with our shoulders hunched up and
our heads forward. This causes us to breathe shallowly, which in turn causes
our chest muscles to tighten and restrict the lungs from expanding fully.
Injuries
Flared ribs can occur due to trauma to the chest, such as
blunt or penetrating trauma. When there is any injury to these structures, it
can cause them to flare outwards from their normal position.
The most common types of injuries that cause flared ribs
include:
Fractures
Rib fractures are usually caused by blunt trauma, such as
being hit by a car or falling hard onto your side. The force from this type of
blunt trauma can break some or all of your ribs, which will then cause them to
separate from each other and flare outwards visibly.
The severity of a fracture depends on how many bones were
broken and how badly they were broken. If only one bone was fractured and it's
not too bad, it may heal on its own within weeks or months, but if multiple
bones were fractured or severely damaged, surgery might be required to fix them
properly.
Sprains
Sprains occur when ligaments become stretched or torn
over time due to repetitive impact or excessive pressure being placed on them
repeatedly (such as from running). If a sprain occurs in one of your ribs, it
may cause it to flare outwards visibly instead of returning into place after being
hit hard enough for it to move like normal. This is because the ligament
connecting two ribs has been damaged and cannot support the weight of your
chest cavity as well as it used to.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a curvature in the spine that occurs on one
side and causes the spine to bend to one side. While it usually affects people
during adolescence, it can also affect children as young as four or five years
old.
The severity of scoliosis can vary from mild to severe.
The condition may be visible without X-rays or other tests by simply looking at
someone's posture: If their back appears uneven, with shoulders lower than
normal or even forward-curved, then chances are they have some form of
scoliosis.
Muscular
Weakness
Flared ribs are often caused by an imbalance in the
muscle strength and tone in the chest area. This imbalance can result in one
side being stronger than the other side, which causes the lower ribs on one
side to flare outwards. Flared ribs caused by muscular weakness usually occur
in people with low back pain or who have undergone surgery on their spine.
In Growing
Children (Most Common)
Several things, including bad posture, exercise, and
injury, can lead to flared ribs. They frequently manifest in youngsters as a
chest anomaly (10-years or older). Although many kids suffer some rib flare,
it's not usually a reason for alarm. Because the chest is still developing and
changing at a young age, chest wall malformation can be accepted as normal.
How to Fix Rib Flare
The
good news is that there are ways of correcting rib flare. Here are some
tips on how to fix rib flare:
Try a Dakota Brace Custom Rib Flare Brace
A
custom rib flare brace from Dakota Brace may be the perfect solution for you if
you're looking for an easy way to fix your rib flare. This brace can be
precisely fitted to your body's unique shape, making it more comfortable than
other types of braces.
For
example, our adjustable lumbar support allows you to customize the fit to fit
perfectly around your lower back and spine while still offering support and
comfort. Moreover, this type of brace can be worn all day long without causing
any irritation or discomfort!
The Rider Brace: Custom Rib Flare Brace
The
Rider Brace is named after our state's
first representative and local legend, Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders. It
is a rib-flare only brace for those that have rib flares but do not present
with pectus carinatum.
The
Rider Brace sits just below the chest around the lower torso, and gets the job
done right. Having the lowest profile possible, it offers a style and comfort
you can't find anywhere else.
The Bison Brace: Custom Pectus & Two
Rib Flare Brace
The
Bison Brace is named after our champion
college football team, the North Dakota State University Bison. The brace has
coverage for two rib flares, one on each side of the torso, in addition to
pectus carinatum - much like the horns of a Bison!
The
ability to comfortably place supports on two rib flares wherever they're found
is due to the precision of our 3D scanning and printing, which allows us to
design completely custom braces that work for every body.
Keep Surgery as
Your Last Option
If your doctor has determined that surgery is necessary
to correct your rib flare, it's best to keep it as your last option. In most
cases, other treatments are more effective and less invasive. Physical therapy
may be able to help you strengthen your core muscles, so they're better able to
support your chest area and hold it in place. This will help reduce strain on
the ribs and allow them to heal properly without causing additional pain or
discomfort.
Conclusion
We
hope this has been helpful for you. Don't let rib flare keep you from enjoying
your favorite activities. With Dakota Brace' simple, affordable solutions, you
can have the freedom to do what you love without worrying about the pain and
discomfort that comes with flare ribs! If you have any questions or want
to learn more about how Dakota Brace can help you with your flared-out
ribs issue, please feel free to reach out! Visit their website and get $75 off your first order.
References:
●
https://pectusexcavatumfix.com/flared-ribs/
● https://motusspt.com/rib-flare/
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If
you want to know how to fix rib flare with Dakota Brace solutions please visit
Dakota Bracing. We provide a comprehensive rib brace assessment for everyone in
need, and work to correct rib flare as quickly as possible.