The story
Aged 9, a small lump developed on Gemma’s chest. Minor at this stage, it wasn’t until she grew older that it became more painful. Conscious of her chest, she became increasingly shy and wouldn’t wear certain types of clothing or feel comfortable getting changed for P.E. in front of others. As a result, she would often miss school. At 11 years old, Gemma was diagnosed with pectus carinatum. After speaking to the doctor at the hospital, Gemma was saddened to understand that the only treatment route for her would be surgery when she was 18. Disheartened that she would have to endure the pain and visual appearance of her chest throughout her teenage years, Gemma undertook research of her own and it was online that she found that bracing treatment may be an option for her. Taking her findings to her doctor, Gemma was referred to a specialist and whilst the doctor agreed it was an option, he was concerned that the brace would be painful, and Gemma would be putting herself through discomfort for a cosmetic fix.
The solution
Determined that she didn’t want to wait four more years for surgery, Gemma’s mum contacted Steeper Clinic and made an appointment. Travelling to Leeds, Gemma was excited and unwavering in the fact that the treatment was going to be a success. For her it wasn’t just a cosmetic problem, it made her feel very self-conscious and was something that she wanted to resolve.