Kyphosis - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Kyphosis are commanly women's chest problem that occure etween ages 12 and 16. Kyphosis is also known as Hunchback. A normal spine, when viewed from behind appears straight. Kyphosis is a curving of the spine that causes a bowing of the back, which leads to a hunchback or slouching posture. Spine is divided into thoracic vertebrae, sacral vertebrae, cervical vertebrae and lumbar vertebrae. Thoracis vertebrae are attached to ribs.

Types of kyphosis

1. Postural kyphosis
2. Scheuermann's kyphosis
3. Congenital kyphosis

Causes of Kyphosis

• Aging and associated degeneration of intervertebral disks, atrophy, and osteoporotic collapse of the vertebrae.
• Endocrine disorders, such as hyperparathyroidism and Cushing's disease.
• Prolonged steroid therapy.
• other conditions, such as arthritis, Paget's disease, polio, compression fracture of the thoracic vertebrae, metastatic tumor, plasma cell myeloma, or tuberculosis.
• Infection (such as tuberculosis )
• Neurofibromatosis.
• Connective tissue disorders.

Causes in adolescents and children is :

Postural kyphosis - This type of kyphosis is mainly associated in adolescents. It is commonly found in girls than boys. Abnormalities of the spine may be caused by slouching and poor posture.

Scheuermann's kyphosis - It is commonly found in adolescence whose ages are 10 or 15. It is affected the boys more than girls. People with Scheuermann's kyphosis may feel more pain.

Congenital kyphosis - A malformation of the spinal column during fetal development causes kyphosis in some infants. Several vertebrae may be fused together or the bones may not form properly. This type of kyphosis may worsen as the child grows. After trauma and infection, congenital kyphosis is the next most common cause of paralysis of the lower body (paraplegia).

Signs and Symptoms of Kyphosis

The following signs and symptoms of Kyphosis is :

• Slouching posture or hunchback
• Mild back pain
• Spinal stiffness or tenderness
• Fatigue

Diagnosis of Kyphosis

• X-rays.
• Radionuclide bone scan.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.)
• Blood tests.

Treatment of Kyphosis

Specific treatment for kyphosis will be determined by your physician based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history.
• Extent of the condition.
• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, and therapies.
• Expectation for the course of the disease.
• Your opinion or preference.

Surgery - Surgery can be preferred in only major cases. If you or your child has kyphosis with symptoms like neurological changes, continue pain, and curving in spin more than 45 degrees.

Bracing - Bracing will be recommended by the doctor, if you or your child has curving in spine less than 75 degrees. Wearing a brace can be prevented excessive curve in the spine.

Other treatments - Other treatments such as kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are effective to treat kyphosis.