How Is The Occipital Knob Deformity Corrected?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have an occipital knob on the back of my head just like the one you have shown in your website. It’s destroying my self confidence and I would like it removed. How is it done, what is the recovery like and how much would a procedure like this cost?

A: The occipital knob is a prominent bulge of bone at the back of the head on the lower edge of the occipital bone along the nuchal line in the midline. It is an abnormal thickening of completely cortical bone that sticks out like a knob. It is most commonly a concern for men who shave their head or have very short hair. I have seen some really impressive occipital knobs that are extremely prominent. Surgical reduction/flattening of this bone knob is done through a small horizontal incision over it, usually no greater than 3 to 3.5 cms in length. (limited incision occipital reduction cranioplasty) The knob is burred down to be smooth with the surrounding bone. Usually I will then suture the soft tissues down to the bone surface through bone holes to make sure no fluid develops between the skin and the reduced bone. The skin is then closed with small dissolveable sutures. This procedure takes about one hour under general anesthesia and is done as an outpatient procedure. The cost of the procedure, all expenses included, is usually around $ 4,000 to $4,500.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana