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Osteoporosis

Can Osteoporosis Cause a Hump on the Back of the Neck?

08/13/2007

Question:

I am 26 years old and have had a hump at the base of my neck since high school. The hump seems to be flesh or fat and is somewhat numb to the touch. However, when I bend my head forward, vertebrae do stick out in the location, so I do think bone structure is contributing to the hump in some way. I have been researching this issue and some sources say a hump in this area is a sign of osteoporosis (which seems unlikely at my age) and others suggest it is due to weight gain and poor posture. I am not over weight, never have been overweight and do not have a large chest and never have had a large chest. My mother has a similar hump at the base of her neck, but claims it is from arthritis. Do you know what this could be and whether I can correct it?

Answer:

It is impossible to tell what you have without an examination. It could be a genetic condition if it looks exactly like your mother's neck, but it would be best to see your physician to obtain the accurate diagnosis.

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Response by:

Margery Gass, MD Margery Gass, MD
Formely, Professor, Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati