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Kyphosis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Scheuermann's disease; Roundback; Hunchback; Postural kyphosis

Symptoms:

Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)
Fatigue
Mild back pain
Round back appearance
Tenderness and stiffness in the spine

Signs and tests:

Physical examination by a health care provider confirms the abnormal curve of the spine. The doctor will also look for any nervous system (neurological) changes (weakness, paralysis, or changes in sensation) below the curve.

Other tests may include:

Spine x-ray
Pulmonary function tests (if kyphosis affects breathing)
MRI (if there may be a tumor, infection, or neurological symptoms)

Skeletal spine

Kyphosis

Reviewed last on: 7/17/2008
Andrew L Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Shelton YA. Scoliosis and kyphosis in adolescents: diagnosis and management. Adolesc Med State Art Rev. 2007;18:121-139.

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