Kyphosis: Curved Thoracic Spine

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Kyphosis (Curved Thoracic Spine)

• Types Causes Symptoms Treatment

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What is Kyphosis ?

• Kyphosis is a curving of the spine that causes a
  bowing or rounding of the back, which leads to a
  hunchnack or stouching posture.
• Kyphosis is also known by other names such as
  hunchback, Scheuermann's disease, postural
  kyphosis, etc. it often results in loss of height
  and interferes with breathing.

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Types of Kyphosis

• There are three types of kyphosis
• Postural kyphosis
• Scheuermanns kyphosis
• Congenital Kyphosis

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Postural Kyphosis

• It is the most common type of kyphosis.
• More common in girls than in boys which is
  typically noticed in adolescent age.
• It is caused by poor posture and weakening of the
  muscle, ligaments in the back (paraspinous
  muscles)
• The vertebrae are typically placed in postural
  kyphosis.
• It progressively gets worse with time.
• These people will have symptoms of pain and
  muscle fatigue.

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Scheuermanns Kyphosis

• It is also first noticed during adolescence
  period.
• It is a result of structural deformity
• It commonly develops with scoliosis
• Reasons are not well understood.

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Congenital Kyphosis

• It is the least common type of abnormal kyphosis.
• It is caused by abnormal development of the
  vertebrae prior to birth
• Occurs due to fusion of many vertebrae together.

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Causes of Kyphosis

• Since kyphosis of spine is of different types,
  the causes vary
• 1) Postural kyphosis
• Postural kyphosis is more common in girls and may
  be caused due to a poor posture and slouching.
• 2) Scheuermanns kyphosis
• Scheuermann's kyphosis is more common in boys and
  becomes apparent between ages 10 - 15. What
  causes it is not been known yet. However, it is
  for certain that this condition has a tendency to
  run in families.

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Causes Continue

• 3) Congenital Kyphosis
• Congenital kyphosis may occur during foetal
  development. This type of kyphosis is known to
  worsen as the affected child grows to become an
  adult. One severe and possible complication which
  might result from this condition is paralysis of
  the lower half of the body.

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Symptoms of Kyphosis

• Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)
• Fatigue
• Mild back pain
• Round back appearance
• Tenderness and stiffness in the spine

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Diagnosis of Kyphosis

• 1)Imaging tests
• X-rays
• Computerized tomography (CT scan)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• 2)Nerve tests

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Treatment of Kyphosis

• Braces A brace is normally suggested for
  teenagers, who are still growing and are
  suffering from moderate to serious kyphosis. The
  brace, when worn regularly and as prescribed,
  slows down or prevents further progression of the
  condition.
• Medications Pain is one of the common symptoms
  of kyphosis. The doctor may prescribe pain
  killers in accordance with the intensity of pain
  that you experience. Generally, doctors start
  with over-the-counter (OTC) pain killers, like,
  acetaminophen and NSAIDs (non-steroidal
  anti-inflammatory drugs).

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Treatments Continue

• Exercises There are certain exercises that are
  designed specifically to relieve symptoms of
  kyphosis. If your doctor feels the need of such
  exercises for postural or cervical kyphosis cure,
  he may refer you to a physical therapy
  professional.
• Surgery Surgery is considered to be an option
  for treatment when the condition is congenital,
  caused by a cancerous growth, causes sharp pain,
  and involves some neurological or extreme
  deformities, which cannot be cured with
  non-surgical methods like, bracing and
  physiotherapy.

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Preventions of Kyphosis

• Kyphosis is not always avoidable, but there are
  things that can be changed in day-to-day life to
  minimize risk.
• Seated Posture at a Computer.
• Standing Posture.
• Holding a Smart Phone or Tablet in a
  forward-looking position.
• Take Calcium Vitamin D Magnesium in diet.
• Exercise.
• Avoid Smoking, Sodium, Protein, Caffeine.