What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Hunchback due to Kyphosis of the Spine
• Roundback due to Kyphosis of the Spine
• Scheuermann's Disease (Kyphosis in Children)

What is Kyphosis of the Spine? (Definition/Background Information)

• Kyphosis of the Spine is an exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic region of the spine, which result in a rounded upper back. The term kyphosis means an ‘exaggerated rounding’
• The cause of kyphosis in children (also known as Scheuermann's Disease) is unknown. However, kyphotic deformities of the spine in adults may be caused by several factors, such as:
  • Degenerative disc disease of the spine
  • Compression fractures, due to osteoporosis
  • Injury or direct trauma to the spine
  • Spondylolisthesis (slipping of the vertebra)
• Treatments associated with the deformity include both nonsurgical and surgical methods. The prognosis of Kyphosis of the Spine is usually excellent, though it also depends on the underlying cause and the degree of curvature 

Some of the different types of Kyphosis of the Spine include:

• Postural Kyphosis: The most common type of kyphosis - it is the result of a poor posture. Postural Kyphosis is most common in adolescents and young adults
• Scheuermann's Kyphosis: Similar to Postural Kyphosis, this condition usually becomes evident when a child is a teenager. However, individuals with Scheuermann's Kyphosis have considerably more deformity in the spine, than other similar conditions. This type of kyphosis is more common in male infants, than in female infants
• Congenital Kyphosis: In some infants, the spinal column does not develop properly, when the fetus is in the womb. In several cases, two or more of the vertebrae fuse together, resulting in an abnormal spine curvature 

Who gets Kyphosis of the Spine? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Kyphosis of the Spine may occur at any age. However, it is rare at birth (in which case the deformity is known as Congenital Kyphosis)
• The condition is also more common in females, than in males
• Elderly individuals also have an increased risk, due to osteoporosis
• There is no known ethnic or racial preference 

What are the Risk Factors for Kyphosis of the Spine? (Predisposing Factors)

Common risk factors for Kyphosis of the Spine include:

• Elderly adults (due to osteoporosis)
• Females are more likely to develop Kyphosis of the Spine, than males
• Poor posture in teenage girls can increase the risk of Postural Kyphosis
• Teenage boys between the ages of 10-15 years have an increased risk of Scheuermann's Kyphosis
• Individuals with connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan syndrome

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider. 

What are the Causes of Kyphosis of the Spine? (Etiology)

Causal factors of Kyphosis of the Spine could include:

• Osteoporosis, a degenerative condition causing weak bones (spinal fracture)
• Disk degeneration of the spine
• Chemotherapy and radiation treatment on the spine, which may weaken the vertebrae making them more susceptible to spinal fractures
• Scheuermann's disease - a hereditary disorder that usually begins to develop in young adolescents
• Congenital Kyphosis - a rare type of kyphosis that is present at birth (congenital-onset)
• Direct trauma to the spine
• Spondylolisthesis (slipping of the vertebra) 

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Kyphosis of the Spine?

Sign and symptoms of Kyphosis of the Spine include:

• In severe cases, difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Moderate pain in the back
• Noticeable roundness of the back
• Tenderness and stiffness of the spine 

How is Kyphosis of the Spine Diagnosed?

Diagnostic methods that a physician may use to help diagnose Kyphosis of the Spine include:

• Physical examination: A physician will perform a thorough physical examination to confirm the abnormal curvature of the spine. During the exam, the physician will look for any neurological changes, such as weakness, paralysis, or changes in sensation, below the curve. In addition to this, a complete medical history can aid in arriving at a definitive diagnosis
• X-ray of the spine: X-rays are commonly used to verify the degree of curvature and identify any deformities within the vertebrae. The helps a physician to recognize different kyphosis types
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the affected region: A CT scan takes a series of x-ray images from several different angles. These images are then merged to create cross-sectional images of bones and soft tissues of the body, which then allows the physician to examine the spine and surrounding structures, to confirm the diagnosis
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the affected region: An MRI is a more detailed scan that uses a magnetic field to generate thorough images of the interior bones and soft tissues, to help confirm the diagnosis
• Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test: For individuals, who are experiencing numbness or muscle weakness, a nerve conduction velocity test may be recommended to examine the speed at which the electrical signals move between the spinal cord and the extremities. Reduced speeds of nerve conduction can help confirm the spinal deformity
• Lung function test:  In severe cases of kyphosis, a physician may want to confirm if the deformity is interfering with the lung’s ability to breathe. Lung function tests are a collection of tests that calculate the lungs ability, to breathe in and out, and how they take oxygen from the atmosphere and circulate it in the body 

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. 

What are the possible Complications of Kyphosis of the Spine?

A few complications of Kyphosis of the Spine include:

• Prolonged and chronic pain in the spine
• Reduced capacity of the lungs
• Neurological symptoms, which include weakness in the legs, or even paralysis
• Psychological complications associated with body image: Older children with kyphosis can become self-conscious and embarrassed about their appearance
• Loss of bladder/bowel control (urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence) 

How is Kyphosis of the Spine Treated?

Treatment for Kyphosis of the Spine depends on the cause and type of the deformity. It may include both nonsurgical and surgical methods. 

The nonsurgical treatment measures may include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory oral medications, such as indomethacin and acetaminophen, may be used to treat individuals with Scheuermann's Kyphosis. These medications can help decrease the pain and swelling
• Complete immobilization of the spine with a back-brace may be recommended, if the individual is a growing child/adolescent 

The surgical treatment methods may include: Arthrodesis of the spine for kyphosis

• Arthrodesis is a surgical technique that involves the removal of the damaged cartilage surrounding the vertebrae joint, within the spine
• After the damaged cartilage is removed, two surrounding bones are fused together. Surgical hardware (such as plates, screws, or rods) is then used to stabilize the bones into a permanent position
• This procedure is usually performed, if the deformity exceeds 75 degrees and is pinching the spinal cord or nerve roots 

How can Kyphosis of the Spine be Prevented?

• In many cases, proper treatment and prevention of osteoporosis may prevent Kyphosis of the Spine in elderly individuals
• Early diagnosis and bracing of Scheuermann's Kyphosis may decrease the need for surgery, in the future
• However, there are currently no known methods to prevent Kyphosis of the Spine in a majority of the cases 

What is the Prognosis of Kyphosis of the Spine? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis for teenagers with Scheuermann's Kyphosis is usually good, even if surgical treatment is required. The condition stops progressing, once the growth phase of the individual ends
• If Kyphosis of the Spine is the result of a degenerative joint disease or multiple spinal fractures, surgical treatment is required to correct the deformity and to reduce pain 

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Kyphosis of the Spine:

• Scheuermann's Kyphosis is named after the Danish orthopedic and radiologist Holger Werfel Scheuermann. He first described the condition in 1920 as Osteochondritis Deformans Juvenilis Dorsi
• Scoliosis is a common medical disorder characterized by abnormal curvature of the spine, wherein a side-to-side spinal curve is observed. This disorder is caused by a defect that causes the spine (or the backbone) to bend or curve sideways, to look like an “S” or “C” instead of an “I”

The following article link will help you understand scoliosis.

http://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/scoliosis/