Overview
Abnormal kyphosis, or simply kyphosis, is the abnormal curvature of the spine. According to Mayo Clinic, the upper portion of the spine curves forward. A small arc to the back is normal, but a bend greater than 50 degrees is considered atypical. Patients suffering from kyphosis are often labeled as hunchbacks.
Symptoms
Mayo Clinic states symptoms of kyphosis usually include poor or slouching posture, back pain, stiffness or tenderness of the spine, and tiredness. Very mild cases of kyphosis may cause no symptoms.
Causes
According to Mayo Clinic, kyphosis can be caused by a variety of problems. In children and adolescence, kyphosis is typically caused by birth defects or poor posture. In adults, kyphosis can be a result of other disorders such as osteoporosis, degenerative arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue disorders, infections of the spine, tumors, spina bifida, and paralyzing disorders such as cerebral palsy and polio.
Diagnosis
Mayo Clinic states a health care provider will complete a thorough physical exam when diagnosing kyphosis. The patient will be asked to remove his shirt and bend forward from the waist. The health care provider will visualize the spine curve in order to determine any deformity. Additional tests such as neurological exams, X-rays and pulmonary function tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis as well as assess other problems.
Complications
Complications can result from an abnormal curvature of the spine. Mayo Clinic states chronic back pain, breathing difficulties, weakness and paralysis of the legs, spinal deformity, and poor body-image problems can result due to kyphosis.
Treatments
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) states surgical and nonsurgical treatments are available to correct kyphosis. The type of treatment received will depend on the cause of the problem. Nonsurgical treatment options include exercises to build muscle strength, anti-inflammatory medications and external back bracing. Surgical intervention may involve straightening and fusing parts of the spinal column, especially if the curvature is greater than 75 degrees. Mayo Clinic states other procedures such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are used to treat kyphosis as a result of vertebral fractures. During these treatments, a cement-type product is injected between the vertebra to help decrease the pain associated with an irregular bend in the back.
Types
According to AAOS, three different types of kyphosis exist: postural, Scheuermann’s and congenital. Postural kyphosis is considered the most common type of kyphosis that is often due to poor posture or slouching. This type of kyphosis typically appears in adolescence. Scheuermann’s kyphosis is also noticed during adolescence but exhibits more curvature and causes pain, especially in thin patients. Congenital kyphosis is seen in newborns who did not develop correctly in utero. Oftentimes the vertebrae are connected or the bones did not grow appropriately.
About this Author
