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Kyphosis is characterised by an excessively curved upper back (thoracic). The condition could be hereditary, borne out of bad posture, or a disorder due to abnormal loss, size, or shape of the building blocks on the spine aka the vertebrae. Read along to have a better grasp on the spinal disorder ‘Kyphosis’ as we will decode everything you need to know about it.
Anatomically, your spine has three natural curves – in the neck, upper back, and lower back region. These curves are crucial as they help you maintain balance, posture as well as stand upright. Kyphosis is a spinal condition wherein the curvature of the spine around the upper back region begins to exaggerate. An average human may have a curvature of 20 to 45°, however, anything greater than 50° is called ‘Hyperkyphosis’.
People with Kyphosis may look as if they are slouching or have a rounded back or hunchback. It can deteriorate as the curvature increases. A mild Kyphosis may not have any symptoms or signs at all and with rarely any back pain. However, in case of severe Kyphosis, you might feel excruciating back pain, difficulty in breathing, as well as loss of balance standing upright. It may even require surgery to rectify the curvature and improve the symptoms that would ultimately lower the back pain.
There’s no definitive age at which you might get Kyphosis. It has been reported to affect anyone from infants to elderly people although adolescent cases appear to be a sweet spot. Older people develop weakness in the spine over time due to ageing and that could promote progressive curvature on the spine. Infants and teens could be affected by it due to malformation of the spine or it could be hereditary.
The most probable cause of Kyphosis is due to the weakening of the interlocking blocks of the spine – the vertebrae and the intervertebral discs in-between. Following are the types of Kyphosis and the causes behind the same.
Bad posture is one of the common causes of Kyphosis. It begins in adolescence when the muscles around the spine suffer postural imbalance such as due to slouching. It contributes to greater forward curvature weakening the extensor muscles and posterior ligaments. Older people are more susceptible to postural Kyphosis given the loss of muscle strength over time.
This type of Kyphosis occurs when the spine doesn’t develop fully before birth leading to congenital Kyphosis or at birth. It tends to worsen as someone ages.
It is a condition that develops during the growth stage and begins to show up when they are adolescence. Here, the vertebrae appear abnormal in shape i.e. similar to triangular, trapezoid, or wedge-shaped, unlike its actual shape. It forces the upper back to hunch forward. Kids with Scheuermann’s Kyphosis aren’t able to straighten their spinal curve by standing upright.
This type of Kyphosis occurs due to age-related issues such as Osteoporosis which is when someone starts losing bone density leading to a weaker spine and a perfect spot for Kyphosis to thrive.
This type of Kyphosis may occur due to injuries, fractures, accidents, etc. As the vertebrae take damage after a fall or any high-energy accident, it weakens the vertebrae causing the spine to curve.
Other potential causes include disk degeneration, compression fracture, ill practice of lifting heavy weights, etc.
When it comes to the symptoms, mild Kyphosis may not show any symptoms at all. You might have a rounded back that isn’t noticeable and no back pain either. However, depending on the age, activity level, and curvature, the symptoms could turn worse. Severe Kyphosis is linked to excruciating back pain, breathing issues, problems related to nerve functions, heart, and intestinal movement.
Other symptoms of Kyphosis include extreme fatigue, weak or numbing sensation in the legs, stiffness of the back and shoulder blades, bowel and bladder incontinence, etc. If you have symptoms closely resembling the ones mentioned here, it’s time to get yourself checked by healthcare personnel for potential Kyphosis.
The rounded upper back is the initial tell-tale sign of Kyphosis. A regular diagnosis includes a physical examination where the doctor asks you certain questions. Adam’s forward bend test allows the doctor to gauge the spine curve and if there are any spine-related issues such as Kyphosis and Scoliosis.
Imaging tests such as X-rays can help find if the curve around the upper back is greater than normal i.e. more than 50° curvature is considered as hyperkyphosis. There are a few other tests such as Pulmonary function tests, and MRI, among others that your doctor might ask to pinpoint the cause and diagnose the condition and prescribe further plan of action and Kyphosis treatment to follow.
The end goal of diagnosis and treatment is to prevent the curve from progressing that could ultimately lead to surgery as the last resort. A number of factors dictate the plan of action including age, overhealth health, remaining years of growth (in case of children), type of condition and severity.
Observation: It includes periodic visits to the doctor and X-rays to figure out if the curvature is exaggerating as you age. It is especially for the growing children with Kyphosis as there’s a potential it would exaggerate. However, you need not be worried as the majority of the cases are painless unless the curve is excessive.
Physical Therapy: Exercises and medical movements help alleviate back pain and improve posture. Physical therapy includes strengthening the core and muscles in the back and abdomen to support the spine as it hurtles through the day and night. Stretching and exercises help make the back muscles stronger and flexible to witness resistance.
NSAIDs: These are a line of drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin that help ease the back pain.
Bracing: Depending upon the type of Kyphosis and the severity, you might be asked to wear braces for a few hours on a daily basis. The braces support the spine and help improve the curve that ultimately reduces the back pain that came with the condition. These braces are adjustable as the curves improve. These are helpful for children in their growing age until they reach skeletal maturity.
Treatment for Underlying Conditions: If the root cause of Kyphosis is an underlying condition such as Osteoporosis or disk degeneration, your doctor might prescribe treatment plans to mitigate that first to prevent curve progression.
Mild Kyphosis seldom attracts any back pain while severe Kyphosis can lead to back pain, breathing issues, inability to maintain balance, etc. It is crucial to educate yourself about Kyphosis and its implications as well as the Kyphosis treatment available today.
If you have similar symptoms, it’s time to reach out to us at 086558 85566. We at QI Spine Clinic have helped more than 10,000 people avert surgeries for various types of spine-related issues. Call us to book an appointment with our specialists today!
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