|  | Conditions Treatments | Back Pain

What Is the Cause of Kyphosis?

Kyphosis is the medical term for the forward rounding of a person's upper back, also called round back or more commonly hunchback. Kyphosis is a much more pronounced rounding than what is normal, often more than 45 degrees. Kyphosis can occur at any age and has several causes. While a mild case will not present many problems, a severe case can have serious complications.

  1. Types

    • The spine contains many bones including a dozen middle back vertebrates called thoracic vertebrates, which connect to your ribs. Kyphosis affects these vertebrates. There are various types of the condition. Postural kyphosis is common in children, more so in girls. It is brought about by poor posture and slouching which stretches the spinal ligaments, making the bone form abnormally. With Scheuermann kyphosis kids between 10 and 15, mostly boys in this case, develop deformed vertebrates that leads to the curvature, with the cause unknown. Congenital kyphosis occurs when the fetus has malformation of the spinal column in the womb. Bone-thinning osteoporosis, arthritis, tuberculosis, cancer and spinal bifida all can lead to kyphosis in adults.

    Effects

    • The symptoms of kyphosis may not be noticeable at first or in mild instances. The obvious one is a hunchback where the spine has curved. Back pain and stiffness of the spine also will be signs. Older adults with osteoporosis have a greater chance of receiving spinal fractures that can then morph into kyphosis. Individuals with disorders of the connective tissue also are more at risk for a hunch back.

    Identification

    • A forward bend test will be done by your doctor if kyphosis is suspected. In this test the person will bend forward from the waist while the doctor observes the upper back for curvature. X-rays can be called for which will reveal the severity of the curvature and any deformities in the vertebrates, Arthritis can show up in adult X-rays that will explain the kyphosis. If the condition is making it hard to breathe, then a pulmonary test will be done to see to what degree.

    Considerations

    • Kyphosis in children and adults can cause problems with their self-image. The hump can become so prominent that the deformity is plainly noticeable to all. Back pain with kyphosis can become unbearable and disabling. In the worst cases the breathing can be compromised when the ribs press against the person's lungs. Even nerve damage can occur in the severest examples of kyphosis, where the legs are weakened by pressure on the spine.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The treatment of kyphosis is dependent on the severity. In lesser instances back-strengthening exercises can be prescribed and pain medication taken. Back braces are used in the more serious cases of kyphosis for kids, with the type of brace dictated by the condition. Surgery for children is usually a last option. Adults also can need back braces and surgery to fuse the vertebrates with pieces of bone from the pelvis and steel rods, screws and hooks to keep the spine straight during and after the procedure.

Back Pain - Related Articles