Kyphosis is a type of curvature of the spine; however, it should not be confused with similar disorders such as scoliosis or lordosis. The correct diagnosis of this condition is essential to find an ideal treatment to stop the deviation in one of the main support structures of the human body, the spine.
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Kyphosis is a deviation or arching of the thoracic curve of the spine outward, causing the back to look like a hump. Kyphosis is also known by other names such as: dorsal kyphosis or Scheuermann’s kyphosis.
Kyphosis is classified into 3 types depending on the cause of its appearance, these are:
It is kyphosis that is present from pregnancy; however, in most cases it begins to become more evident at the stage of puberty. Due to the young age of patients, corrective surgery is usually used to improve their quality of life.
With juvenile kyphosis or Scheuermann’s disease, the vertebrae of the spine develop into an abnormal triangular shape that makes the natural curve of the back more pronounced. In severe cases, young people with this type of kyphosis may lose the ability to straighten up on their own.
Postural kyphosis can occur in both young and older people, as it is a disorder caused by adopting bad postural positions, for example: keeping the shoulders slumped, tilting the head down too much (such as when spending a lot of time looking at mobile devices), sitting or walking hunched over, among others.
The symptoms of kyphosis manifest most strongly at the time of “the growth spurt” during puberty. The main signs of kyphosis are:
Hunching of the back (hump-like appearance).
Back pain.
Rigidity.
Fatigue.
In severe cases, people may have difficulty breathing.
The spine specialist can diagnose kyphosis with a thorough examination of the back, where the patient will be asked to execute specific movements and take positions to assess the vertebrae and mobility of the spine.
Additionally, bone density tests are performed to verify the condition of the bones and X-rays that confirm the degree of curvature; Based on this information, the patient will be told what the treatment options are.
Congenital kyphosis and Scheuermann’s kyphosis are idiopathic, i.e. they do not have a definite origin. Kyphosis can result from:
Bad posture.
Degenerative or hereditary diseases of the spine.
Osteoporotic fractures.
Spondylolisthesis.
Muscular dystrophy.
Tumors.
Other disorders.
Kyphosis treatment can vary depending on the severity and cause of the disorder. Cases of postural kyphosis usually require postural correction techniques, physical therapy, or exercises to strengthen the back muscles.
In congenital kyphosis and Scheuermann’s kyphosis, patients have the following treatment options:
Some mild kyphoses do not require any treatment; however, your doctor may recommend regular checkups to keep an eye on the progress of the curve.
Analgesics are widely used to soothe the pain of kyphosis. For people with low bone density, your doctor may prescribe osteoporosis medications to strengthen your bones and prevent your outlook from getting worse.
The use of orthopedic back braces can be helpful in slowing down the worsening of the curve, the use of such devices is limited until the adolescent stops growing.
Surgery is the last resort in cases of kyphosis; however, when there is a serious spinal cord or nerve involvement, surgical correction is essential, with spinal fusion being the most commonly used procedure.
In previous visits, the specialist will evaluate your medical history to know the result of previous surgeries, what allergies you suffer from and what medications or supplements you consume regularly; You may be advised to stop taking a specific medication days before the procedure and other instructions will be issued for the day of surgery.
Some types of kyphosis can stop at the end of the puberty stage, others can simply improve with proper postural hygiene; This indicates that the duration of the disorder is variable and depends on various factors, for some the solution comes in a short period of time, while others must overcome the disease slowly and for a long time.
Complications of dorsal kyphosis surgery may include:
During spinal fusion, the surgeon will need to make an incision in the back right where the affected vertebrae are located, the length of the incision will depend on how many vertebrae are going to be fused during surgery, so the scar will not heal or be the same for all patients.
The best treatment for kyphosis is one that is able to effectively correct the curvature that is causing constant pain and limiting your mobility; whether it involves exercises, bracing, medicines, or surgery. To find the ideal treatment, you and your doctor should weigh the pros and cons of each surgical and/or conservative option in order to choose the method that works best for you.
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