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Kyphosis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Scheuermann's disease; Roundback; Hunchback; Postural kyphosis

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the cause of the disorder:

• Congenital kyphosis requires corrective surgery at an early age.
• Scheuermann's disease is initially treated with a brace and physical therapy. Occasionally surgery is needed for large (greater than 60 degrees), painful curves.
• Multiple compression fractures from osteoporosis can be left alone if there are no neurologic problems or pain, but the osteoporosis needs to be treated to help prevent future fractures. For debilitating deformity or pain, surgery is an option.
• Kyphosis caused by infection or tumor needs to be treated more aggressively, often with surgery and medications.

Treatment for other types of kyphosis depends on the cause. Surgery may be necessary if neurological symptoms develop.

Expectations (prognosis):

Adolescents with Scheuermann's disease tend do well even if they need surgery, and the disease stops once they stop growing. If the kyphosis is due to degenerative joint disease or multiple compression fractures, correction of the defect is not possible without surgery, and improvement of pain is less reliable.

Complications:

• Disabling back pain
• Neurological symptoms including leg weakness or paralysis
• Decreased lung capacity
• Round back deformity

• Review Date: 10/23/2006
• Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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