Back pain in patients with macromastia: what a spine surgeon should know?

Abstract

Large and heavy breasts, termed macromastia, is a common cause of neck and back pain in females that may present as early as puberty. With focus usually elsewhere, macromastia is not usually a primary consideration when a patient initially presents to a spine specialist, particularly a spine surgeon. Axial pain is among the most common indications for breast reduction by plastic surgeons. Breast reduction surgery has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for many women with back pain from macromastia. Awareness among spine specialists may prevent unneeded spinal intervention prompted by an overestimation of the contribution of vertebral degenerative changes to axial pain in affected women. This review aims to broaden spine providers' understanding of macromastia and its evaluation and treatment, including the role of breast reduction surgery to lessen axial pain.