What is kyphosis?

Kyphosis is a spinal condition with an abnormal curvature of your spine sideways. This leads to an abnormal forward bending of your upper back around the thoracic region that is located between your neck and ribs. The curvature can sometimes make you appear as if you are bent over or slouching, giving way to the common term "hunchback" or "round back."

Your body has certain curved features. These curves help to keep your posture well-oriented, and one can stand upright. However, extreme curvature harms body movements, and standing straight in extreme cases becomes challenging.

Kyphosis usually does not cause health issues or require medical intervention. However, it can cause one to become conscious of one's appearance. In acute cases, kyphosis can cause pain and might lead to breathing problems. In extreme acute conditions, one might need surgery.

What are the different types of kyphosis?

Kyphosis comes in various types. Some of the most common of these are:

Postural kyphosis: This is the most common type of kyphosis. It usually develops during your early teenage years. Slouching or poor posture stretches the ligaments and muscles that support your vertebrae (spinal bones). Stretching pulls your vertebrae out of their usual position, which creates a rounded look for your spine. It affects more females than males. It is typically pain-free.
Scheuermann's kyphosis: In this condition, the vertebrae are shaped differently than you would imagine. In other words, instead of appearing rectangular, your vertebra is wedge-shaped. Because of this, the forward curvature of the wedge shapes leaves your spine appearing more rounded. More so than in children assigned female at birth, it affects children assigned male at birth. Scheuermann's kyphosis hurts, especially when performing any activity or for a long time standing or sitting. The curve doesn't change with a change in position or posture because your vertebrae aren't flexible.
Congenital kyphosis: Congenital means being present at birth. Congenital kyphosis is a condition that occurs when your spine fails to develop or develop generally in the uterus. It can worsen over time as you grow. Surgery may correct the curvature of the spine during childhood to prevent it from worsening. It can occur in combination with other congenital disabilities, for example, involving your heart and kidneys.
Cervical kyphosis (military neck): This type occurs when your cervical spine-or the portion of your spine at the bottom of your head to your upper back-curves toward your front instead of its natural curve to your back.
Hyperkyphosis: Hyperkyphosis is a sharp forward curvature of the spine. The curve measures more than 50 degrees. This type is common after age 40.

What are the symptoms of kyphosis?

The main symptoms of kyphosis are:

Round shoulders.
You can feel curvature or hump on the upper back.
You shorten the hamstrings, which are the muscles on the back of your thigh.

Severe kyphosis, a condition known, presents the following signs and symptoms:

Back and shoulder blades may hurt or be stiff.
Legs become weak, numb, or tingle.
Your body becomes exhausted.
You lose balance.
Bladder or bowel incontinence.
Shortness of breath or inability to breathe.
If you can't breathe, call your local emergency services number.

What are the causes of kyphosis?

As a general rule, causes of kyphosis might vary from one type to another but may comprise any of the following:

Poor posturing.
The malformed bone structure in your spine.
A disorder in the growth of your bones (shaped particularly in the sense of the bone).
An injury in the spine.
Your age.

How is kyphosis diagnosed?

In children, you or the school physician (school nurse) may identify symptoms of kyphosis, especially during screening at school. Your child's school may recommend your child visit a primary care physician for an examination to confirm the diagnosis.

Your healthcare provider shall diagnose kyphosis at any age after a physical check-up. Your provider shall ask you or your child to perform a bending test at the physical. You'll stand with your feet together. The Knees are straight, and your arms hang loosely by your side. Then, bend forward slowly, gazing down at your feet. This test helps your provider see the spine curve or other spine problems.

What tests diagnose kyphosis?

A spine X-ray will help your healthcare provider measure the curve of your spine and diagnose the condition. The standard curve ranges from 20 to 45 degrees. Your provider will diagnose kyphosis if the curve is greater than 50 degrees.

Your doctor will also perform some tests to determine if you are suffering from an underlying condition that may have caused your symptoms or if the curve of your backbone touches or affects any other part of your body. Some tests may include:

Respiratory function test: this is to check the efficiency of your lungs.

Your healthcare provider might order an MRI to determine whether the curve of your backbone causes pressure on your spinal nerves.

How is kyphosis treated?

The treatment for patients with kyphosis varies with different cases but generally may involve the following:

Physical therapy: Conditioning abdominal and back muscles would help reduce pain and stabilize your posture. Exercise stretches tight hamstrings, thereby enhancing other parts of your body.
Medications to relieve back pain: Anticipates the drugs that reduce inflammation.
Back brace: Your physician recommends wearing it. Its most commonly recommended for growing children with Scheuermann's kyphosis. Your physician will explain the kind of brace and how many hours a day it takes to wear it.
Surgery: Straightening the curvature of the spine may be done through a surgical procedure. The most common surgery for kyphosis is spinal fusion. When performing this surgery, your surgeon will align the vertebra to make it straight. To do so, they will fuse the vertebra by filling the spaces between each vertebra with small pieces of bone. As your vertebra heals, they fuse or join together. This procedure helps straighten the curve.

How will my doctor decide what kyphosis treatment I will receive?

Your doctor will evaluate your spine and give you a treatment alternative that is appropriate for your:

Age
Medical history.
Overall health.
Type of kyphosis.
Degree of curvature.
Respiratory problems.

You may be a candidate for spine surgery if you have:

Congenital kyphosis
Scheuermann's kyphosis with a curve greater than 75 degrees
Significant back pain despite having conservative or nonsurgical treatment.

Are the treatments safe?

Each type of treatment poses the risk of side effects. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider what you might expect from your treatment before it starts. For example, postoperative side effects of surgery could include infection and bleeding at the surgical site.

Can kyphosis become scoliosis?

No. Kyphosis and scoliosis are two diseases of your spine. Both can be present simultaneously, but one will not necessarily cause the other. Kyphosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine from front to back. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine from side to side, either left or right.

What are some risk factors for kyphosis?

Postural and Scheuermann's kyphosis often occurs between the ages of 13 and 16 since their bones will be in the accelerated phase of growth. However, kyphosis can come with anyone at any age. Nonetheless, the curves in the conditions worsen with age due to the inflexibility of the vertebrae and the inclination of the spinal column forward.

You might also be born with the congenital form of kyphosis. This can occur in combination with other congenital conditions that affect your development in the womb.

What are the complications of kyphosis?

Complications are not often seen with mild cases of kyphosis; however, they can occur when you have a severe curvature of the spine. Complications may include:

Back pain.
Disability or difficulty walking.
Lung compression with difficulty breathing.
Neurological problems (pinched nerves).

Can I avoid kyphosis?

You can't prevent all these disorders. But you can take steps to help prevent postural kyphosis:

Holding your body erect.
Exercising your abdominal and back muscles.
Being at a healthy weight.
They are wearing bags or schoolbooks and supplies in a solid backpack or roller bag.
Exercise to strengthen and flex your muscles.

What to expect if I have kyphosis?

Kyphosis is a treatable spinal disease. The curve can or cannot hurt, and you may not even notice it when a doctor brings it to your attention during an examination. Treatment goals are primarily aimed at preventing the curve from worsening. In severe cases, surgery is required, but many patients with kyphosis don't need surgery.

Does kyphosis come back?

Post-treatment, kyphosis may recur. You may need to make lifestyle changes to adjust your posture better. This could take the form of paying more attention than you usually do to sitting, standing, and moving about daily. For example, you could bag rather than lugging around a backpack full of schoolbooks. Ask your healthcare provider what you can do to help keep the kyphosis from coming back.

What is the prognosis for kyphosis?

The best outcome occurs if kyphosis is diagnosed early. Most people diagnosed early do not require surgery and can control this condition using nonsurgical interventions. If left untreated, kyphosis will often worsen and may cause secondary health problems such as shortness of breath.

You will continue to follow a healthcare provider throughout your life, even after treatment for kyphosis.

Living With

When should I call for help?

If you or your children have a spine curve that would affect your or their posture, discuss this with your health provider. A healthcare provider can assess your symptoms and teach you how to correct poor posture.

See your emergency room doctor if you have symptoms of trouble breathing.