What Is a Scoliosis Rib Hump, and How Can You Treat It?

In addition to a curved spine, scoliosis is often accompanied by a rib hump, or a visible protrusion on one side of the back. It’s treatable with physical therapy or, in severe cases, surgery.

The curved spine characteristic of scoliosis often comes with other symptoms, such as a rotated rib cage and a visible bone sticking out one side of the back. This may be especially apparent when bending forward.

Although scoliosis and an accompanying rib hump typically don’t cause any major issues, you may want to correct it due to aesthetic concerns, pain, or discomfort. Without treatment, scoliosis may cause issues with breathing or doing certain movements.

If you think you may have a scoliosis rib hump, here’s what to know about the condition as well as how to treat it.

What causes a rib hump?

Experts still don’t know exactly what causes a rib hump. However, they believe that the characteristic spinal curvature of scoliosis likely plays a role.

The theory is that as the spine curves sideways, it also rotates, causing the ribs on one side to jut outward. On the other side, the ribs may appear pushed forward.

However, some experts think that this could also happen in reverse. This theory states that a rib cage hump could actually precede and cause the spinal curve.

Other experts think that there are other factors influencing the rib hump that researchers don’t yet understand, including the irregular development of the muscles around the ribs.

However, since experts don’t know the cause of scoliosis in about 80% of cases, it’s challenging to say exactly how the hump develops. Experts think that genes, hormones, and cellular structures likely play a role.

Symptoms

Since rib humps and scoliosis go hand in hand, their symptoms often overlap. Symptoms may include :

• a protruding rib on one side of the back
• visible spinal asymmetry, especially when bending forward
• uneven shoulders
• uneven hips
• clothes fitting differently on one side
• a noticeable lean to one side
• spinal rotation
• challenges doing certain movements
• in severe cases, breathing issues

Is it painful?

Some people, especially adults, may experience pain or discomfort from rib humps. This is because their bones are fully developed. The pain may increase when lying down or sitting on hard surfaces.

Scoliosis in general may also cause:

• muscle pain and strain around the torso
• generalized back pain (upper or lower)
• in more severe cases, pinched nerves or nerve pain

In a 2023 paper , researchers also noted that the rib hump — in part due to its appearance — is often the main concern of people with scoliosis.

If you’re having difficulty with your scoliosis or the accompanying rib arch, don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist . They can help you work through these issues and manage your mental health.

Can you correct it?

According to the 2023 paper , it’s possible to correct rib humps by treating the underlying scoliosis itself. This may include:

• doing exercises that focus on rotating the spine and rib cage back to an even alignment
• trying techniques that involve breathing into the concave side of the spine
• in more severe cases, getting surgery

In more advanced cases, treatment may not fully correct the hump, as surgical methods for treating them are still under development.

Treatment

Treating the spinal curve and rib hump may include :

• Physical therapy: Working with a physical therapist or doing scoliosis exercises at home may help correct the spinal misalignment and minimize the rib’s protrusion. There are also online exercises, like this one , targeted at the rib hump specifically.
• Exercise: Regular exercise, especially varieties that involve stretching the muscles and spine — like yoga or Pilates — may help correct scoliosis over time. If you’d like to try yoga for scoliosis, here’s what to know about getting started.
• Chiropractic treatment: Visiting a chiropractor may help lend pain relief and increase flexibility of the spine, though more research is needed to know for sure.
• Bracing: For children or adolescents with scoliosis, a spinal brace may be an option to prevent the curvature from increasing.
• Surgery: Although professionals don’t typically recommend surgery for scoliosis or rib humps until the condition is severe, it may be an option in some cases. Spinal fusion is the primary treatment for advanced scoliosis. Costoplasty is a procedure that specifically targets the rib hump, and it may take place alongside spinal fusion treatment.

Here’s what else to know about treating scoliosis without surgery .

When to contact a doctor

If you think you may have scoliosis, you may want to use one of the many scoliosis assessment applications out there to help measure the degree of curvature in your spine. According to one 2023 review , these apps — such as Scoliometer — may be effective ways to identify scoliosis.

If your spinal curve constitutes scoliosis, a doctor can help you develop an individualized treatment plan for your needs.

Other reasons to contact a doctor include:

• visible back asymmetry or a rib arch when leaning forward
• a worsening rib hump
• pain or discomfort in the area
• breathing issues

Although mild curvatures aren’t typically a major reason for concern, it’s a good idea to be proactive, with regular exercise and stretches targeted for correcting your spinal alignment.

And in general, if you find that your condition negatively impacts your daily life, a healthcare professional can help you manage and treat it so that you can live well again.

The bottom line

If you have scoliosis, you may also have a protruding rib that causes some discomfort, pain, or aesthetic concerns. Physical therapy or exercise can often correct the scoliosis, but, in more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

If your scoliosis or rib hump interferes with your daily quality of life, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional about your options. Treatment can correct or reduce the misalignment so that you can live comfortably.