What is Kyphosis ?

The word “kyphosis” describes a type of curve in the spine. A kyphotic curve is ‘normally’ present in the thoracic spine (the part of the spine in the chest area). A kyphotic curve looks like the letter “C” with the opening of the C pointing towards the front. Though the thoracic spine is supposed to be curved, if the curve in a person’s thoracic spine is more than 40 to 45 degrees, it is considered abnormal – or a spinal deformity.

Normal Anatomy

The thoracic spine naturally has some kyphosis. A kyphotic spinal deformity really means there is too much kyphotic curve in the spine.The thoracic spine is made up of the middle 12 vertebrae of your spine. The normal amount of curve in the thoracic spine is considered to be from 20 to 40 degrees within the entire thoracic spine. There is a range because the amount of “normal” curve varies from person to person

Kyphosis can have varying symptoms and degrees of severity, from minor changes in the shape of back, to severe deformity, nerve problems, and chronic pain.

Symptoms And Causes of Kyphosis :

Signs and symptoms may include

  • picBack pain
  • picSciatica
  • picParaplegia
  • picCosmetic disfigurement
  • picStooped posture.

Causes

  • picPostural kyphosis, or “round back”
  • picScheuermann’s Kyphosis.
  • picCongenital Kyphosis
  • picParalytic Disorders
  • picSpinal Trauma
  • picOsteoporosis
  • picTuberculosis
  • picSpondylosis
  • picInflammatory (Ankylosing Spondylitis)
  • picSpinal tumour
  • picPost-Surgical Kyphosis

Complications / Test and Diagnosis for Kyphosis :

Complications

While most people with kyphosis have a mild form of the disorder, kyphosis may sometimes cause complications, including:

  • picLung and heart malfunctioning
  • picBack problems
  • picEasy fatiguability
  • picPoor Cosmetic Appearance

Tests and Diagnosis

Medical history: This involves talking to the patient and the patient’s parent(s) and reviewing the patient’s records to look for medical problems that might be causing the spine to curve, for example, birth defects, trauma, or other disorders that can be associated with kyphosis.

Physical examination: This includes alook at the patient’s back, chest, pelvis, legs, feet, and skin. This mean first trying to get a “mental picture” of how the spine is curved from examining your back and watching you move about. Your doctor will look at the flexibility you have bending in certain directions.A neurological examination is done to check for Muscle weakness, Numbness, Abnormal reflexes X-ray evaluation. An x ray of the spine can confirm the diagnosis of kyphosis. The magnitude and type of kyphosis is measured on xray.

Additional imaging tests may be recommended, depending on the case to case basis.

These include:

  • picMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • picComputerized tomography (CT scan)
  • picBone scan, EMG/NCV

Treatment

Kyphosis has a variety of treatment options. Whenever possible, the first choice of treatment for kyphosis is always going to be conservative. Conservative treatment that is commonly recommended includes: medications, exercise, and certain types of braces to support the spine. Medications by themselves cannot correct kyphosis. They are advised to treat the underlying condition.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy and exercise is an important part of treating adult kyphosis. A well-designed exercise program can also provide pain relief in many patients. A physical therapist will develop an appropriate exercise routine for your case. It is essential that you stick to the plan.

Spinal Braces

The use of a spinal brace may provide some pain relief. However, in adults, it does not cause the spine to straighten.

Surgery

Surgery may be recommended in the following situations:

  • picProgressive /persistent Back Pain/ neck pain
  • picProgression of Curve
  • picCosmetic appearance
  • picSciatica
  • picParaplegia
  • picSpinal stenosis

The main surgical procedure is deformity correction i.e. scoliosis correction, decompression, spinal instrumentation, and spinal fusion of the curve.

Patients and parents who are thinking about surgery may want to ask the following questions :

  • picWhat are the benefits from surgery?
  • picWhat are the risks from surgery?
  • picWhat techniques will be used for the surgery?
  • picWhat devices will be used to keep the spine stable after surgery?
  • picWhere will the incisions be made?
  • picHow straight will the spine be after surgery?
  • picHow long will the hospital stay be?
  • picHow long will it take to recover from surgery?
  • picIs there chronic back pain after surgery?
  • picWill the patient’s growth be limited?
  • picHow flexible will the spine remain?
  • picCan the curve worsen or progress after surgery?
  • picWill additional surgery be likely?
  • picWill the patient be able to do all the things he or she wants to do following surgery?

Complications of spinal surgery may include bleeding, infection, pain, nerve damage or flat back. Rarely, the bone fails to heal and another surgery may be needed.

What is Kyphosis correction Surgery ?

There are various options of managing Kyphosis deformity depending on the magnitude and severity of kyphosis .The various options of managing Kyphosis are

  • picIn situ Spinal Fusion
  • picPontes Osteotomy / Smith Peterson Osteotomy
  • picPedicle subtraction osteotomy
  • picVertebral Column Resection Surgery

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