Kyphosis is the forward rounding of the spine. It may cause an exaggerated hunch or slouching posture. It is also known as “hunchback” or “roundback.” It is a relatively common condition that affects 3 million Americans per year. However, it usually affects older women and is often related to osteoporosis.
Symptoms
Aside from the physical disfiguration it causes, Kyphosis can also be uncomfortable and cause back pain.
The most common symptoms of kyphosis are:
- Mild to severe back pain
- Fatigue
- Stiffness
- Forward posture of the head
- Chest pain and difficulty breathing in severe cases
Causes:
While it is commonly associated with osteoporosis, kyphosis can be caused by anything that makes the back curve forward. The causes of kyphosis generally vary based on the type of kyphosis that the individual has.
There are three types of kyphosis:
- Postural: This is the most common type of kyphosis. It is caused by poor posture and a weakening of the ligaments and muscles in the back. It usually begins in adolescence and is more commonly found in girls. This is the mildest form of kyphosis.
- Scheuermann’s: This is the result of a deformed vertebrae structure. The neighboring vertebrae have a “wedge” between them, which causes the spine to form a curve. This first begins in adolescence, but doctors are still unsure of its cause.
- Congenital: This is the rarest form of kyphosis. It is the abnormal development of the spine before birth.
Kyphosis can also be caused by:
- Vertebral compression fractures
- Burst fracture
- Degenerative spinal arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Spinal infection
- Muscular dystrophy
- Spinal tumor
If you are suffering from a hunch in your back, you may have a form of kyphosis. Get to the bottom of your symptoms, call Brain2Spine Institute today (727) 351-6902.
