Kyphosis what is it

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It is a type of scoliosis. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment. What to know about kyphosis. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Symptoms Causes Who gets kyphosis? Share on Pinterest Symptoms of kyphosis can include back pain and stiffness in the upper back.

Who gets kyphosis? Types of kyphosis. Image credit: Dr. Exercises for kyphosis. Share on Pinterest A doctor will perform a physical exam to diagnose kyphosis. When to see a doctor. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?

Related Coverage. Middle back pain: Causes and relief. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. A curve greater than 50 degrees is considered abnormal or hyperkyphosis. Early detection of kyphosis is important for successful treatment. Pediatricians or family doctors, and even some school programs, routinely look for signs that kyphosis may be present. Other than possible pain, kyphosis — except for the congenital variety — rarely produces harmful effects on the important organs and structures inside the body.

Treatment is therefore based on the symptoms a person may be experiencing. For example, for those complaining of pain, exercises to strengthen the core muscles and pain-relieving medications are used.

For those concerned with how the curvature appears, bracing or postural exercises may be used. For mild increases in kyphosis and the flexible postural curves, physical therapy is often prescribed. A daily home exercise program focusing on core strengthening and back extensor stretching and strengthening is often successful in managing the problem appearance and pain associated with kyphosis.

A Milwaukee brace or a supraclavicular brace are used to prevent worsening and often even correct kyphosis in actively growing children.

The brace is prescribed by an orthopaedic specialist and made by an orthotist. A brace is indicated in actively growing children with kyphosis curves greater than 65 degrees. The brace is typically prescribed to be worn 23 hours a day until the adolescent is done growing.

An adolescent with severe kyphosis causing pain or appearance concerns may elect to have this deformity fixed with surgery. The surgery for kyphosis is a posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation. The surgery itself takes four to five hours with a hospital stay of three to four days. The recovery is typically four to six weeks at home. This surgery involves exposing the bones and muscles of the spine through an incision made straight down the middle of the back. The incision is only the length of the deformity needing correction.

One idea is that the blood supply to the vertebrae becomes disrupted, affecting the growth of the vertebrae. There also appears to be a genetic link, as the condition occasionally runs in families. Congenital kyphosis is caused when something disrupts the normal development of the spine before birth.

In many cases, two or more of the vertebrae fuse together. It's often unclear why certain children are affected in this way. However, some cases of congenital kyphosis run in families, so it seems genetics also play a role in this type of kyphosis. Page last reviewed: 03 August Next review due: 03 August The spine Your spine extends from your skull to your pelvis.