Removing a Rib to Correct Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. In some cases it is severe enough that it causes the rib cage to rotate and the ribs to stick out; this is known as a "rib hump."

According to the Mayo Clinic website, some cases of scoliosis will not affect a person as long as it is monitored, while other cases require spinal surgery and/or a brace.

Rib Removal

• The rib hump can be cosmetically bothersome and painful. According to the iScoliosis website the method used to treat the rib hump is known as thoracoplasty, which is a surgical removal of rib segments. If a person elects to have a thoracoplasty, she can either have it done during the spinal corrective surgery or after. According to iScoliosis if it is performed separately from the spinal surgery, the patient can take up to three months to recover, but when performed with the spinal surgery the recovery time is the same and the removed material can be used to help straighten the spine.

  The details of which specific ribs will be removed and how much of them is something that a doctor will determine for a patient. After examining the patient and the severity of the extruding rib the doctor will develop a plan of which area to remove.

  Deciding to have a rib removed to correct scoliosis is a viable option for many people who have a rib hump, but a doctor or back specialist can help determine if it is the appropriate course of action.