Kyphosis

What is Kyphosis?

Kyphosis is a spinal disorder which disrupts the natural curvature of a spine. Resulting in an abnormal rounding of the upper back. The condition is an exaggeration or an abnormality of normal curvature. Although, the most serious type is  Scheuermann’s disease.

Kyphosis most commonly affects the thoracic spine (upper back.) However, it can involve both the cervical and lumbar portions too.  This condition is  thought to be caused by abnormal growth of the vertebra. Meaning the front stops growing before the back part does.

This growth abnormality causes wedge-shaped vertebral bones. Which consequently cause a forward-bending posture. Other causes of this condition are spinal compression fractures. This is due to osteoporosis or degenerative bone conditions, such as degenerative disc disease.

Scheuermann’s Disease

Boys tend to be affected by Scheuermann’s Disease most often. However, the first signs usually appear when they are younger. It will be noticeable due to the upper back gradually appearing more rounded. This is also accompanied by pain. The pain which gradually increases during the day and decreases with rest. Although, if there is back pain present, it will typically be felt at the spine curvature. Its also commonly aggravated by prolonged sitting/standing or activity.

Prior to any treatment for Kyphosis, your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination. This will occur along with a neurological exam. These exams check your muscle strength and reflexes. Furthermore, your doctor may recommend imaging tests such as X-Rays, MRI and CT scan. This is done to determine the degree of the kyphotic curvature and detect deformities of the vertebrae.

What Causes Kyphosis?

• Birth defects
• Disk degeneration
• Osteoporosis
• Syndromes
• Scheuermann’s disease
• Cancer and cancer treatments

What are the Symptoms of Kyphosis?

• Abnormally curved spine
• Stiffness
• Back pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Weakness in the legs

Kyphosis Treatment

Depending on the severity of the condition, will depend on the treatment. There are several ways to go about treating the condition, the first is medication. Utilizing medication can help relieve pain and additional bone loss.

However, there are also therapy exercises and bracing that helps to relieve back pain and stop the progression of bone loss. The last resort would be surgery for reducing the degree of the curvature. Below you will find different treatment options. Depending on the severity your doctor may recommend all or one.

Kyphosis Non-Surgical Options:

Medications

• Pain relievers. It is normal for your doctor to start you off on an over the counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve.) If these options don’t seem to be enough, stronger pain medications are available by prescription.
• Osteoporosis medications. To help prevent additional bone loss or fractures, bone-strengthening medications may be prescribed.

Therapy

There are many therapy options which can help manage different types of kyphosis. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor might recommend the following:

• Exercises. In order to improve spinal flexibility and relieve back pain and licensed physical therapist can recommend exercises.
• Bracing. It is common for children who are suffering from Scheuermann’s disease to be able to stop the progression of kyphosis. This ca be done by wearing a body brace while their bones are still growing.

Kyphosis Surgical Options:

However, for severe cases of kyphosis, your doctor recommending surgery might be an option. The following procedures are typical for kyphosis and are recommended on a case by case basis:

Spinal Fusion: Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that relieves pain in the vertebrae (spinal bones.) This is done by fusing two or more vertebrae together to reduce motion. The surgeon pereforming this procedure will either use a bone graft or a metal implant.

Kyphoplasty: Kyphoplasty, or Ballon Kyphoplasty, is minimally invasive. This procedure is able to treat painful vertebral compression fractures by restoring the height and strength of the fractured vertebra(s). Furthermore, treatment is often beneficial to patients with kyphosis due to the forming from compression fractures. This is performed on a case by case basis.