DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your letter about the bony bump on the collarbone. I, too, had had the same thing on the inside of my collarbone. X-rays revealed it was a cervical rib. I had never even heard of it before. I can feel it on my right side. The left isn’t as big. I have known about it for 21 years and it has never caused any pain. I thought perhaps, depending on the placement of the bump, that this could be what the letter writer has.
DEAR READER: Cervical ribs are rare. It is estimated that they occur in less than 1% of the population.
In those who are symptom free, such as yourself, nothing need be done. However, in some individuals, the extra rib may cause pain or other problems.
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