Kyphosis

1. What is kyphosis?
2. Prognosis of the disease
3. Symptoms of kyphosis
4. Medical tests for kyphosis
5. What causes kyphosis?
6. Can it be prevented?
7. Treatments for kyphosis
8. What specialist treats it?

What is kyphosis?

Kyphosis is a curvature of the spine that consists of an arching or rounding of the back. It is common in adolescents and adults and is detected because in some cases people with kyphosis develop a hump in the back, so they may feel discomfort and / or have pain or difficulty breathing. There are several types of kyphosis depending on the causes:

• Postural kyphosis: it usually appears in the adolescent period, as it depends on the development of muscles and bones in the growth period. This is due to incorrect postures, not having a straight back, etc. It may cause mild discomfort, although if treated correctly it may not cause problems in adult stages.
• Scheuermann’s disease: This disease causes the vertebrae to be wedge-shaped instead of rectangular. The causes are unknown but are usually genetic.
• Congenital kyphosis: occurs when a baby’s spine develops abnormally while in the womb. Several vertebrae fuse together and the bones do not develop correctly. It is important to treat this type of pathology because it can worsen as the child grows.

Prognosis of the disease

The prognosis of the disease depends on the type of kyphosis the patient has developed. As a general rule, patients with Scheuermann’s disease usually have a good prognosis, as the disease stops when they stop growing. If kyphosis results from a joint problem, surgery will be needed to improve the symptoms and correct the pathology.

Symptoms of kyphosis

The most common symptom is pain in the middle or lower back. In addition, there may be other symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath in severe cases
• Tenderness of the spine
• Tiredness
• Stiffness of the back

Kyphosis is a curvature of the spine, which is a bowing or rounding of the back.
It is a rounding or curving of the back.

Medical tests for kyphosis

The orthopedic surgeon will assess the abnormal curvature of the back through a medical examination. Aspects within the nervous system may also be assessed, as a neurological disorder may explain the physical changes including weakness, paralysis or tenderness in the area. In addition, medical tests may be requested such as:

• Spinal X-ray
• Tests related to the respiratory system, if the disease affects breathing.
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Test to measure bone density

What are the causes of kyphosis?

Kyphosis can appear at any age, although the causes in certain periods are different. In adults, kyphosis can appear due to:

• Degenerative diseases.
• Fractures due to osteoporosis.
• Traumatisms.
• Spondylolisthesis.
• Hormonal diseases.
• Infections.
• Polio.
• Scoliosis.
• Tumors.

Can it be prevented?

There is no prevention of kyphosis, although it can be prevented by treating osteoporosis, preventing many cases of kyphosis in adulthood. Diagnosis and bracing can help reduce the possibility of surgery.

Treatments for kyphosis

The treatment of kyphosis depends on the type of kyphosis suffered by the patient, although usually, if neurological symptoms are present and pain persists, surgery is necessary.

• Congenital kyphosis is treated by corrective surgery at an early age.
• Scheuermann’s disease requires bracing and physical therapy.
• If the kyphosis is caused by infection or tumor, treatment with medication and surgery is required.

Which specialist treats it?

The specialist who treats this pathology is the traumatologist.