Rib flaring

What is rib flare?

Rib flaring, or rib flare, is a condition where the ribs stick out, causing the chest to protrude outward.

It typically happens when the chest wall shifts in or out, often due to abnormal growth of the breastbone (sternum) or the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum.

Rib flaring is very often a symptom of other pectus, or chest wall, deformities like:

• pectus excavatum: when the breastbone sinks inwards
• pectus carinatum: when the breastbone sticks outwards

Rib flaring can also occur on its own, without any other related conditions.

Symptoms

• lower rib cage sticks out
• a visible bulge on one or both sides of the chest
• change in chest shape

This condition usually affects the lower ribs, specifically the lower edge of the ribcage, known as the costal margin. It most commonly develops during periods of rapid growth, such as adolescence.

Treatment

Non surgical treatment

For patients with either pectus ecavatum or pectus carinatum, a flared rib cage can be more of an issue than the actual condition itself. Sometimes, the outward bulge of the ribs can make minor cases of chest deformity appear worse than they are.

We treat rib flaring with a specific brace that is bespoke to each patient’s measurements and symptoms.​

Surgical treatment

Currently, there is no known surgical solution for rib flaring in the UK.

See our rib flaring treatment page