What is Kyphosis?

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What is Kyphosis?
Kyphosis is a medical condition that involves the excess curvature of the thoracic vertebra. The thoracic vertebra is located at the upper back portion of the spinal column. This part of the spinal column has a normal “kyphotic” curve but when it exceeds several degrees, it gives the appearance of a rounded back with the thoracic vertebra bulging from its normal position. This is why some people refer to kyphosis as “roundback” or “hunchback”.

Excessive curvature of the spinal column at the thoracic vertebra area may be due to a lot of reasons. Some will develop kyphosis as a result of degenerative disease such as arthritis. In this case, the tissues and the bones along the spinal column will deteriorate in quality and form and so will result to curvature problems. Some kyphosis may also be secondary to developmental type of medical illnesses such as Scheuermann’s disease. Other types of kyphosis may also result from fractures, direct trauma, and osteoporosis.

Most kyphosis develops slowly over time. The most obvious symptom is the increasing roundness of the upper back. For most people, the hunching of the back does not really present any problem during the early parts of the illness. But some neurological concerns may arise with the increasing curvature of the thoracic spine as this may cause spinal cord compression. When this happens, symptoms such as loss of sensation, muscle weakness, and impaired bladder control may result. Others may also have difficulty breathing and will have chest pains if the lungs will not have enough space for expansion. In these extreme cases, medical management is important and necessary. In most cases, bracing or the use of an orthotic device is prescribed by doctors to restrict the further increase in spine curvature. Other patients are also prescribed with physical therapy and exercises to improve posture and delay further deformity. For extreme conditions, surgery is the only option.

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