Kyphosis (Roundback), Humpback
Kyphosis is a deformity that results in the forward bending of the spine. When viewed from the side of the normal human spine, the neck region is hollow, the back region is Kyphosised, and the lumbar region is again hollow. So normally, our back area is humped up to 40-45 degrees. There may be a number of underlying reasons for hunches above this degree.
The hump can be a small curvature that cannot be noticed, or it can present with chronic pain, loss of sensation and strength, or severe deformity. As it is known, hunchback is most common in the back region, but it can also occur in the neck and lumbar region. Since the neck and lumbar region are normally hollow, kyphosis may initially present with flattening in the neck or lumbar. Since the neck and lumbar region are normally hollow, kyphosis may initially present with flattening in the neck or waist.
Kyphosis in adulthood can occur for various reasons;
Kyphosis Due to Postural Disorder=Postural Kyphosis; In fact, it is not a real disease, it is a posture disorder, after all. It most commonly occurs during adolescence and young adulthood. Kyphosis occurs during sitting and standing. The lumbar pit may also be deeper to balance the hump on the back. Kyphosis due to posture disorder corrects itself when lying down or stretching backwards. There is no spinal anomaly in X-rays. There is no need for casting, corset, or surgery in the treatment. The problem is usually solved by teaching the patient to sit and stand in the correct position. Sports that strengthen the back muscles, such as swimming, are beneficial.
Scheuerman's Disease: The cause of this disease, which is named after Doctor Scheuerman who first described the problem, is not clearly known today. For some reason, Kyphosis occurs after the anterior parts of the spinal bones collapse. The hump is often between 45 and 75 degrees. Unlike hunching due to posture disorder, the patient's curvature in Schuerman's disease does not correct itself. When the patient leans forward, a sharp angled hump forms in the back.
Calcification (arthrosis), and rheumatic diseases (ankylosing spondylitis) can cause Kyphosis. Congenital, that is, in the type that starts from birth, Kyphosis occurs due to insufficient development of the spinal bone. After a spinal injury due to trauma, a hunchback may occur due to the collapsed spine area. Kyphosis may also occur after surgeries in the back area or after fractures due to Osteoporosis (bone loss). Osteoporosis is the most common cause of hunchback in the elderly.
Kyphosis Symptoms
Kyphosis can cause varying degrees of complaints, from just deformity to severe pain, and lung and heart problems. The pain is in the area where the hump is the most. If the spinal cord is compressed after progressive Kyphosiss, weakness may occur in the legs. Severe Kyphosiss in the back region can cause shortness of breath by preventing the lungs from expanding sufficiently. Likewise, cardiac functions may be affected.
Diagnosis in Kyphosis
If there is severe pain, weakness due to nerve compression, urinary and stool problems in addition to the hunchback detected on X-ray films, your doctor may apply additional diagnostic methods such as MRI or computed tomography (CT).
Kyphosis Treatment
After the cause of the hump is clarified, your doctor will either start to monitor your hump periodically or proceed directly to treatment, depending on your complaints.
The first method of choice in the treatment of Kyphosis is usually non-surgical methods. Treatment begins with methods such as pain relievers, exercise, and corsets. If there is an underlying osteoporosis, the progression of the hump can be slowed down by treating it first.
In adult hunchback, corset treatment is used only to reduce pain. Because the hump formed by the corset cannot be corrected in individuals who have completed their bone development.
Pain related to kyphosis can be reduced with physical therapy and exercises. For this purpose;
- Obtaining a body position that will adversely affect the hump
- Regular exercise, e.g. swimming
- Maintaining high level activity
- Continuation of daily stretching exercises is recommended.
When does the need for surgical treatment arise?
- Severe Pain
- Progressive loss of strength in the legs due to nerve compression
- Progression of Kyphosis over time
- Request to correct the cosmetic appearance of the patient