kyphosis??

---

Hi, I recently had a posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis on Jan. 30th, 2008. Just a couple days ago, I found out that I have kyphosis! (The unfused part of my spine which is thoracic, has kyphosis, so right above my fusion) Also, the part of my spine that has kyphosis is beginning to curve to the right... should I be concerned? Please help me out!

Thanks so much!

*~*~hailey~*~*
The term "kyphosis" usually refers to an exaggerated rounding, more than 40 to 45 degrees. This deformity is also called round back or hunchback.

With kyphosis, your spine may look normal or you may develop a hump. Kyphosis can occur as a result of developmental problems; degenerative diseases, such as arthritis of the spine; osteoporosis with compression fractures of the vertebrae; or trauma to the spine. It can affect children, adolescents and adults.

Mild cases of kyphosis may cause few problems. But severe cases can affect your lungs, nerves and other tissues and organs, causing pain and other problems. Treatment for kyphosis depends on the cause of the curvature and its effects.

Types of kyphosis in children and adolescents
For children or adolescents, the most common types include:

Postural kyphosis. This type mainly becomes apparent in adolescence. The onset of postural kyphosis generally is slow. It's more common in girls than in boys. Poor posture or slouching may cause stretching of the spinal ligaments and abnormal formation of the bones of the spine (vertebrae). Postural kyphosis often is accompanied by an exaggerated inward curve (hyperlordosis) in the lower (lumbar) spine. Hyperlordosis is the body's way of compensating for the exaggerated outward curve in the upper spine.

Scheuermann kyphosis. Like postural kyphosis, Scheuermann kyphosis typically appears in adolescence, often between ages 10 and 15, while the bones are still growing. Also called Scheuermann disease, it's about twice as common in boys as it is in girls. Scheuermann may deform the vertebrae so that they appear wedge shaped, rather than rectangular, on X-rays. There may be another finding, known as Schmorl nodes, on the affected vertebrae. These nodes are the result of the cushion (disk) between the vertebrae pushing through bone at the bottom and top of a vertebra (end plates).

The cause of Scheuermann kyphosis is unknown, but it tends to run in families. Some people with this type of kyphosis also have scoliosis, a spinal deformity that causes a side-to-side curve. Adults who developed Scheuermann during childhood may experience increased pain as they get older.

Congenital kyphosis. A malformation of the spinal column during fetal development causes kyphosis in some infants. Several vertebrae may be fused together or the bones may not form properly. This type of kyphosis may worsen as the child grows. After trauma and infection, congenital kyphosis is the next most common cause of paralysis of the lower body (paraplegia).

Causes in adults
Disorders that may cause a curvature of the spine in adults, resulting in kyphosis, include:

Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease that's associated with fractures of the vertebrae, which cause compression of the spine and contribute to kyphosis

Degenerative arthritis of the spine, which can cause deterioration of the bones and disks of the spine

Ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine and nearby joints

Connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan syndrome, that may affect the connective tissue's ability to hold joints in their proper position

Tuberculosis and other infections of the spine, which can result in destruction of joints

Cancer or benign tumors that impinge on bones of the spine and force them out of position

Spina bifida, a birth defect in which part of the spine doesn't form completely, and which causes defects of the spinal cord and vertebrae

Conditions that cause paralysis, such as cerebral palsy and polio, and that stiffen the bones of the spine
________________

Kyphosis may cause the following complications:

Body image problems. Adolescents, especially, may develop a poor body image from having a rounded back or from wearing a brace to correct the condition.

Deformity. The hump on the back may become prominent over time.

Back pain. In some cases, the misalignment of the spine can lead to pain, which can become severe and disabling.

Breathing difficulties. In severe cases, the curve may cause the rib cage to press against your lungs, inhibiting your ability to breathe.

Neurological signs and symptoms. Although rare, these may include leg weakness or paralysis, a result of pressure on the spinal nerves.
__________________

Treatment
Kyphosis treatment depends on the cause of the condition and the signs and symptoms that are present.

Less serious cases
In some cases, less aggressive types of treatment are appropriate:

Postural kyphosis. This type of kyphosis doesn't progress and may improve on its own. Exercises to strengthen back muscles, training in using correct posture and sleeping on a firm bed may help. Pain relievers may help ease discomfort if exercise and physical therapies aren't fully effective.

Structural kyphosis. For kyphosis caused by spinal abnormalities, treatment typically depends on your age and sex, the severity of your symptoms and how rigid the curve in your spine is. With Scheuermann kyphosis, monitoring for progression of the curvature may be all that's recommended if you have no symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve pain. General conditioning exercises and physical therapy may help alleviate symptoms.

Osteoporosis-related kyphosis. Multiple compression fractures in people who have low bone density can lead to abnormal curvature of the spine. If no pain or other complications are present, treatment for the kyphosis may not be necessary. But your doctor may recommend treatment of the osteoporosis to prevent further fractures and worsening of the kyphosis.

More serious cases
More severe cases of kyphosis require more aggressive treatment. The primary approaches are bracing and, as a last resort, surgery. With children and adolescents, the sooner treatment begins, the more effective it may be in halting the deformity.

When bracing is necessary
If your teenager is still growing and has moderate to severe kyphosis, your doctor may recommend bracing. Wearing a brace may prevent further progression of the curvature and may even provide some correction.

There are several types of braces for children who have kyphosis. Your doctor can help you decide which brace would be most effective for your child.

Children who wear braces usually have few restrictions and can participate in most activities. Once the bones are fully grown, your child can be weaned off the brace according to your doctor's instructions.

There are different types of braces for treating kyphosis in adults, varying from postural training devices to rigid body jackets. The goal of bracing in adults is typically to control pain.

When surgery is necessary
Spinal surgery carries many risks, so your doctor may recommend surgery only if you or your child has any of the following:

Severe curvature of the spine that doesn't respond to other treatment measures

Kyphosis that continues to worsen

Debilitating pain that doesn't respond to medication

Resulting neurological problems, such as paralysis

Kyphosis related to a tumor or infection

The goal of surgery is to reduce the degree of curvature. This is commonly done by fusing or joining the affected vertebrae. Doctors typically perform the surgery through incisions in the back, using general anesthetic.

Fusing the vertebrae involves connecting two or more of them with pieces of bone taken from the pelvis. Eventually, the vertebrae fuse with the bone pieces to prevent further progression of the curvature. Doctors attach metal rods, hooks, screws or wires to the spine to hold the vertebrae together while the bones fuse, which may take several months. Doctors leave the metal in the body to help support the fused area even after the bones have fused.

A drawback of spinal fusion is that it stops growth in that area of the spine. A child's ultimate height isn't affected greatly because the leg bones and the unaffected portion of the spine continue to grow normally.

Complications include bleeding, infection, pain, nerve damage, arthritis and disk degeneration. If the surgery fails to correct the problem, a second surgery may be needed.

Other procedures
Procedures called vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have been developed recently to treat vertebral fractures. These procedures involve injecting a type of inert cement into the affected vertebrae. They can be effective in controlling pain associated with compression fractures.  (+ info)

Kyphosis ???????.....?

---

If u have kinda like a bump on the back of your neck....it's arched....and when you walk it looks like your slouching....in the mirror it looks like the chest is too low....is it because I have kyphosis ?...And if it is...what can I do to fix this...cause it's uncomfortable...how much would the operation cost..and would it be too painfull ?
Yes, it could very well be the onset of kyphosis. If you slouched constantly growing up that could definitely be the cause of it. One solution that I have heard of to fix it would be if you had a specialist surgically grind the arch off your back with a medical saw. I'm not sure about the cost of it, but taking it off won't fix the problem...you have to learn not to slouch, which is a lot tougher than you think it would be. Talk to your family physician about it to see what options you have, maybe he can give you some advice on non-invasive ways of fixing it, like a back brace maybe. I hope I helped a little bit, good luck :-)  (+ info)

How do you treat the condition Kyphosis when a person has reached skeletal maturity?

---

Kyphosis is a curvature of the spine and it is usually known as hunchback or roundback. It is usually seen in adolecents.
I don't have much experience in kyphosis. My area is scoliosis (which is related), though. If I can take an educated guess, exercise to keep your core muscles strong and reduce your pain is the first option. This is followed by pain management, and if your curve is bad enough, surgery. As an adult, bracing is probably not effective because you're done growing.  (+ info)

What muscles do I have to workout in order to cure postural kyphosis?

---

I am 18 years old, I have had postural kyphosis since I was little. Should I exercise my back or abdominal muscles, someone even said hamstring muscles. Please help me. Thank you.
You should exercise your abdominal and hamstring muscles.  (+ info)

What is the best non-surgical way to treat Kyphosis (about 33 degrees) of the spine?

---

What is the best back brace for kyphosis? Will these be effective if just worn overnight?
Do the back braces that are worn while you sleep work for spinal kyphosis? Are back braces an effective treatment for Scheuermann's Disease ( Kyphosis )?
Your lower back has to slouch to compensate for your the curve in your upper back. So.....lye on your back (either on carpet or a mat), pull your shoulders back, straighen your lower back as much as possible - flush against the floor. Raise your legs up off the ground about 45 degrees. As your stomach tightens, you'll feel pressure beginning to straighten your upper back. Focus on flexing your back and shoulder muscles and keeping your lower back flush and flat against the floor. After 10 - 20 seconds, rest your legs, press down on your rib cage briefly, and adjust your lower back to make it even more flat against the floor. Repeat. Each time your repeat, your back will become more and more straight. You will feel your lung capacity expand each time too.You can also use a rolled-up towel stragetically placed in just the right place under your back, about where your chest is.  (+ info)

Can the spine pressing on the lung, as a result of kyphosis, cause general anxiety disorder?

---

Can the spine pressing on the lung, as a result of kyphosis, cause general anxiety?
Anxiety and panic cause breathlessness but can the vice versa be true?
Anything that increases you levels of stress can cause anxiety. Few people realise that as many as 4% of the population have Global Anxiety Disorder and as many as 15% have other anxiety issues. However studies show vast variations on these numbers depending on the diagnostic criteria.  (+ info)

Does yoga and pilates really help with postural kyphosis?

---

This question is for anyone who has had postural kyphosis and have tried yoga and/or pilates to fix it. Did it work? Any other suggestions?
I apologize, I know your question was directed at people who have experience with your question, but I was curious and looked it up and found some direct information for you. Here is an article that addresses yoga and postural kyphosis: http://www.yogabasics.com/learn/yoga-for-a-perfect-posture.html

I see there is much on the net about it, and yes I do know that yoga can definitely correct bad posture, or a rounded back due do bad posture. The article I linked you does warn about consulting a health care professional if your kyphosis is caused by osteoporosis or other bone weakening disease before trying yoga to correct it.

I highly recommend doing yoga, it has helped my posture tremendously, and I had no idea I even had bad posture. I walk taller and hold my back straighter, and I feel so full of calm energy, I can't imagine myself stopping yoga now. It's part of my life forever. :)

As for the pilates, I don't think it will help as much as yoga at all. Yoga emphasises work on the spine and on creating space between the vertebrae in each pose. Pilates has no such focus, it is geared more toward strengthening the muscles. Yoga will strengthen, increase flexibility, and help pull the bones and muscles back into correct alignment when done properly. make sure you do yoga that emphasises correct alignment of the skeletal structure while you do it.
Good luck!  (+ info)

Teenager with Kyphosis, doesnt want to wear back brace. He wants to wear it but is afraid to wear it to school?

---

Does anyone have any stories or facts about kyphosis that I can relate to him? His degree of curvature is 60%. Thanks.
Thank you for the post 'Just My Opinion', I am new to this and don't know how to actually send you a response to your post. My son's brace does have the bar that goes up the front of his chest too. I will let him make the decision and won't force it. I just don't want him to face bigger health problems in the future. Do you think that wearing the brace all the time, EXCEPT during school, will help? One article at spineuniverse.com says to wear it 16-24 hours, but his doc says 24 hours for minimum of 6months at first. Any other suggestions are appreciated.
You didn't say how old your son is, how long has he had kyphosis, and is his curve increasing.

What about wearing the brace to school makes him afraid? Is he worried about the way others will treat him? If so, know that other kids tend to ignore the brace. He will be far harder on himself than any other person there.

The following reply to another scoliosis question caught my eye. It may put his highschool peers in perspective. "I wore a Boston brace from 7th grade through 9th grade. The first two years, I wore it approximately 23 out of 24 hours a day. I remember changing in a separate bathroom for gym class because I was mortified at the thought of having to change in front of other people. I also remember having to wear larger, out of style clothing, to try and cover the brace. When it got to the point I could go without it long enough to not have to wear it to school, I was overjoyed. I am 36 now, but I do remember what it was like to be your age and have to deal with wearing a brace...it made me very self concious too. The best I can offer is to tell you, in all complete honesty, it is a much bigger deal to you than it is to anyone else (including boys). I've spoken to many of the people I used to go to high to school with about how difficult the whole experience was for me and guess what? I learned that no one really gave a flying flip that I was wearing that brace; I just didn't realize it at the time. To me, I might has well have been wearing a big, flashing neon sign on my forehead. Now, I regret that I spent so much time agonizing over something that, apparently no one cared about, but me. Please just try and remind yourself of this. In the grand scheme of things...truly not a big deal. I promise. Take care. : )"

I wore the Milwaukee brace (with the chin piece and bar in the front) during my highschool years. Your son will need to wear the brace as directed by his doctor. Every scoliosis and kyphosis case is different and Spineuniverse can't possibly have seen your son in order to judge what treatment is best for him.

Curves can get worse. You can't predict whether a curve will get worse or not, and if it gets worse, you can't predict how fast. but larger curves tend to get painful. If the curve increases, it will be even more a problem cosmetically. If he wears the brace, he will probably look better after he has stopped growing and his potential for back pain is also lowered. But these advantages only work if he wears the brace as directed. (Don't know about him, but the idea of back pain for the rest of my life is a scarey thought.)

Look at it this way. You're going to have the brace for only a couple of years. If you're not going to wear the brace and your back gets worse, you're going to be affected for the rest of your life (anything from back pains to needing surgery to..., depending on how bad your curve gets.). I'm not saying that your curve will increase, but that it certainly could.

Why a brace? Well, assuming that he has structural kyphosis, his spine is growing curved. This means that lifting heavy books or slouching didn't cause his kyphosis. Will a brace correct his curve? No. The purpose of a brace is to keep a curve from getting worse. If there is some correction, great, but I wouldn't count on it. If the curve increases in spite of the brace, the brace is still helping slow the rate of increase.

Some additional notes:

Try to keep a good attitude when wearing a brace. Know that you're doing this to try to keep your curve from getting worse (and therefore avoid surgery).

Believe me, wearing a brace for awhile is much better than getting your spine fused. You may think that surgery is a quick fix, but it really isn't. So, wear the brace even if you don't like it.

When you wear the brace, you will have good days and not so good days. Please try to not take it out on your friends. They will help support you through your bad times.

There is more than one type of brace. I had a Milwaukee brace, but I'll try to answer your questions for the other types also.

1) tightness - all braces are snug. They have molded plastic (a "girdle" to go around the hips for the Milwaukee brace, and pretty much over the whole torso for some other types). You will probably grow out of your brace (at least once) and need to be re-molded for a new one.

2) hard to take off - I don't think so.

3) noticable - the Milwaukee is very noticable. Other brace types are easy to hide under your clothes.

4) wear normal clothes - pretty much yes. You'll need to make certain adjustments, like a t-shirt under the brace. For the Milwaukee brace, you'll need to cover the screws with mole skin (Dr. Sholes, or the like) to keep your shirts from getting holes. Another thing is that you will be warm in the brace. You might need to wear lighter clothes. So adjust your clothing to your needs once you find out how hot it will get.

5) I'm adding this one. Cleanliness  (+ info)

Is there any way to help get rid of kyphosis?

---

I am writing a paper for bodily defects in biology and have been researching kyphosis, the hunch in the upper back of a human being, for the last couple of weeks. I have run upon a lot of useufl information but am having trouble finding if there is an actual way to get rid of the defect. I have found information that they can correct the curve with surgery but that's about it. Does any know or have any good websites that can furthre answer my question? Thanks.
Tom-
Following is an item I found on the internet with references. Hope it helps.

Kyphosis: Prevention And Correction

Kyphosis: Prevention and Correction The natural physiological curves of the spinal column are formed in the first months and years of child’s development. With the raising of child’s head the first curve is made. That is a cervical curve – curve of a neck, and it is convex forward. With the first attempts to stand or with sitting the thoracic curve, the curve of the upper back, is made and it is convex backwards. When the child is old enough to stand, the lumbar curve, pointed forward, is made. In the first years of child’s life, if there are not any pre birth deficiencies, the spinal cord has its regular (normal) physiological position (Dunn 541). The future growth and development of individual vertebra is a long lasting process and in all periods of our life the vertebral column is adopting, getting stronger and adjusting with the other systems of our body and getting its definite shape. One of important factors for the development of spine is the individual behavior and lifestyle. There are many more inner and outer factors but the individual influence of them is very small. There are many postural deviations that are influencing and affecting human body. I decided to write about the spinal deviation called Kyphosis, or Rounded Upper Back. The thoracic curve is, in this case, more distinct and the back is getting rounded look. The gravity is always acting on thoracic curve, trying to get it bigger. Active and passive forces of our body like muscles, ligaments, bones etc. are fighting against it and trying to keep our spine in the physiological limits. Those physiological limits when measured by Cub method on the profile x-ray of human body, are twenty to thirty five degrees (Radisavljevic 289). With the weakening of active and passive forces or by some other causes, the kyphotic curve will get bigger and lead to Kyphosis. The Scoliosis Research Society defines Kyphosis as a curvature of a spine measuring forty-five degrees or greater on a x-ray (Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, n.pag.). Sometimes Kyphosis is followed by the curve with the different orientation in the lumbar part of the back. This is called Compensatory Lordosis because the extensive lordotic curve is made because of the unbalance in the spinal column caused by Kyphosis. Kyphosis can be present at birth – Congenital or caused by the various conditions that may happened (Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, n.pag.) Congenital Kyphosis usually appears due to the changes in the bone structure when the wedge-shaped vertebrae are made, or with joining of two or more vertebrae. The other non-congenital conditions appear during the life span mainly caused by metabolic problems, neuromuscular conditions, rheumatic changes, osteogenesis imperfecta, spinal bifida, Sheuermann’s disease, shortsightedness, use of the “anti pain positions” and poor posture (Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, n.pag.). Poor posture is one of the causes of Kyphosis that should be treated more serious. More people should get involved including physical education teacher, parents and other teachers. There are three delicate periods in which the body is more likely to suffer from these changes: - the period when the child is rising, - the beginning of child’s formal education, - the puberty. Kyphosis can appear in with the old age, when it is called “senile” Kyphosis. There are two main groups of Kyphosis: - Functional or reducible – they can be annulled by taking particular positions like laying on the back or hanging on the pole, or just by the contraction of the back muscles. - Structural or irreducible – advanced stage. Now, besides the muscles, bones and ligaments are changing causing insufficiency of the spinal movements (Radisavljevic 292). We have to know that Kyphosis doesn’t only ruins our esthetical look but it causes a lot of other changes and problems like deficiency in movement ability of spinal joints, deficiency in rib movements which lead to the insufficiency of respiratory system, and changes in the bone structure. There are many ways to diagnose Kyphosis and it is usually done by a physician. Some of diagnostic procedures are x-rays, bone scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomogtaphy scan (CAT scan), blood tests etc. (Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, n.pag.). Prevention and early detection are of most importance in dealing with kyphotic children. Pediatricians, family physicians and even some school programs routinely look for the signs of the kyphotic posture in kids. Prevention should begin before the child arts to go to school or with the beginning of the school at the latest. As I said earlier, in this complex process of monitoring and prevention, except PE teachers and school physicians, it is necessary to involve other teachers and parents. It is important to emphasize the importance of good posture a  (+ info)

How can you reverse postural kyphosis?

---

I'm about 16 years old and I do have some symptoms of kyphosis (caused by bad posture from years of slouching) I was woundering if their is any way to reverse it? I tried researching on the internet and I did find some things about doing yoga exercises to help kyphosis, but do these exercises actually reverse it or just reduce symptoms? Thank you for the answers!
improve your posture by trying to constantly remind yourself stand up straight also a brace with help  (+ info)

---

---

• Home
• Our method
• Usage examples
• Index

• Statistics
• Contact

---