About Kyphosis
Kyphosis is a common spinal disorder which is defined as the forward rounding of the upper back. A little rounding of the back is a normal occurrence but Kyphosis refers to a condition where the rounding of the upper back is extreme or exaggerated. This is also known as hunchback or round back. Older women are more at risk of developing this condition where this deformity is commonly known as a dowager’s hump. However, this condition is not limited to the former and it can occur at any age. Apart from that teenage girls with poor posture are at risk of postural kyphosis as well as boys in the age group of 10-15 have great chances of Scheuermermann’s kyphosis.
Usually when Kyphosis occurs due to advance age the cause is often osteoporosis – a condition that weakens the spinal bones making them crack and compress easily. There are a few specific types of Kyphosis that target teens and infants.
Causes and Symptoms
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of Kyphosis are:- Abnormally curved spine
- Back pain and stiffness
- Severe cases of kyphosis have the potential of affecting lungs, other tissues and nerves causing serious health issues
Causes
This spinal deformity can happen due to variety of spinal disorders or conditions that include:- Osteoporosis – Disorder that causes bone-thinning resulting in crushed vertebrae
- Disk degeneration – Shrinking and drying of spinal discs with age
- Cancer as well as cancer treatment
- Scheuermann’s disease – Hereditary disorder
- Birth defects
Kyphosis Surgery and Other Treatment
Surgery is suggested when the spinal curve is extremely severe and starts pinching the nerve roots and spinal cord. Spinal fusion is the most common surgery for kyphosis and it helps in reducing the degree of curvature by fusing two or more vertebrae that are affected. Other treatments for Kyphosis include:- Medications – Pain relievers and osteoporosis drugs
- Physical Therapy – Exercises and bracing
Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.