What is kyphosis?

Kyphosis is an abnormal forward curve in the upper spine. Children with kyphosis have a rounded or “hunchback” appearance. While some children are born with kyphosis, most cases develop during adolescence.

Some degree of front-to-back curve of the spine is normal and healthy. However, if a child’s spine curves forward 50 degrees or more, they should be seen by a spine specialist.

What are kyphosis symptoms?

Some kyphosis symptoms are visible to the naked eye. Other symptoms are not visible but can make a child with kyphosis uncomfortable.

Visible kyphosis symptoms include:

  • Visible hump, typically in the upper back
  • Upper back appears higher than normal when bending forward
  • Head always or almost always bent forward
  • Excessive rounding of the shoulders
  • Difference in the height or position of the shoulders or shoulder blades

Children with severe kyphosis may have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Tight muscles in the backs of their thighs (hamstrings)
  • Back pain and stiffness
  • Trouble breathing
  • Extreme fatigue

What causes kyphosis?

  • Congenital Kyphosis- The vertebrae are not developed properly at birth. The deformity usually gets noticed as the child starts to sit
  • Scheuermann’s kyphosis – Seen in adolescents as they grow. They usually have family history
  • neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida.
  • Spinal infections and tumors can weaken the vertebrae, causing the spine to collapse forward.
  • Treatments for spinal tumors, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, can also lead to kyphosis.

Factors that increase a child’s risk of developing kyphosis include:

  • poor posture (slouching)
  • a family history of spine problems
  • neuromuscular conditions, like spina bifida, cerebral palsy, osteogenesis imperfecta, and muscular dystrophy
  • metabolic conditions, such as diabetes
  • trauma resulting in a spinal fracture that goes untreated or heals poorly
  • spinal infections such as osteomyelitis
  • spinal tumors, either cancerous or benign

Kyphosis and spine anatomy

To understand kyphosis, it helps to understand the structure of the spine. The spine is made up of individual bones, called vertebrae, that are joined together by muscles and ligaments. Our ability to bend and twist our backs come from the fact that vertebrae are separate. Flat, soft discs cushion the vertebrae and prevent them from rubbing against each other.

Together the vertebrae, discs, muscles, and ligaments make up the vertebral column that protects the spinal cord from the base of the spine all the way up to the brain.

The regions of the spine have specific names:

  • Cervical spine refers to the neck region.
  • Thoracic spine refers to the upper back.
  • Lumbar spine refers to the lower back.

Kyphosis typically develops in the thoracic region of the spine. In rare cases, it can occur in the cervical spine.

What are the different types of kyphosis?

Different types of kyphosis have different causes and become noticeable at different stages of physical development. (The conditions below do not include kyphosis related to trauma, infection, bone cancer, or other disorders.)

Congenital kyphosis

Children with congenital kyphosis are born with the condition, though it may not be noticeable immediately at birth. The deformity happens when a child’s spinal column does not develop properly in the womb.

Congenital kyphosis often causes compression of the spinal cord and usually gets worse as the child grows. Many children with congenital kyphosis need spine surgery at some point during childhood or adolescence.

Postural kyphosis

Postural kyphosis is the most common, and usually least serious, type of kyphosis. It becomes noticeable in adolescence. Poor posture, including slouching in front of a computer for long periods, can increase the risk that a child’s spine and surrounding muscles will not develop properly.

Postural kyphosis is not a structural deformity, not painful, and most often does not get worse over time. The forward curve is rounded. If asked to stand up straight, a teen with postural kyphosis can do so.

Physical therapy, and in some cases, bracing, can correct the muscular and structural imbalance in the back.

Scheuermann’s kyphosis

Scheuermann’s kyphosis is usually more severe, more rigid, and more deforming than postural kyphosis. Also known as juvenile kyphosis, it is a structural abnormality that occurs when several vertebrae in the thoracic spine develop a triangular (rather than rectangular) shape. The wedge-like shape causes the spine to bend forward at a sharp angle. A teen with Scheuermann’s kyphosis cannot correct their curve by trying to stand up straight.

Scheuermann’s kyphosis typically becomes noticeable in early adolescence and continues to progress as long as the child continues growing. In severe cases, this type of kyphosis causes back pain that gets worse after sitting or standing for long periods. Activity can also be painful. Correcting severe cases of Scheuermann’s kyphosis usually requires bracing, and possibly surgery. Typically, orthopedic surgeons delay surgery until after the child has reached their full height.

What are the possible kyphosis complications?

Many children with kyphosis have no complications. For other children, kyphosis progresses and becomes worse over time. If it does progress, the forward curvature can become painful and interfere with lung function. In rare cases, it may also interfere with your child’s eating, making it hard to swallow and possibly causing acid reflux. If your child has kyphosis, it’s very important to have regular check-ups. A spine specialist can monitor the spinal curvature and intervene if it is progressing.

Is it possible to prevent kyphosis?

Just as kyphosis often has no definite cause, there is no sure way to prevent the condition. If you are pregnant or could become pregnant, proper nutrition, prenatal care, and vitamins (especially folic acid) may help reduce the risk of your child being born with congenital kyphosis or other birth defects. If your family has a history of kyphosis, consult a geneticist.

What is the treatment for kyphosis?

Congenital & developmental kyphosis treatment starts with the bracing protocol. Children are monitored clinically & radiologically for progression of the deformity which if starts to happen may need surgical intervention. To prevent long-term consequences of neurological deficit.