Kyphosis (Curved Thoracic Spine): Symptoms, types, causes and treatment

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Kyphosis (Curved Thoracic Spine)
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Kyphosis (Curved Thoracic Spine)

• The spine is naturally curved. It does not
  assume a straight line for important reasons. The
  normal curve of the spine makes sure that your
  posture and balance is good. This way, it can
  support your body better. However, there are
  times when the spine becomes too curved. This
  condition is normally referred to as kyphosis.
  This can be harmful to your health because it can
  lead to breathing difficulties. Kyphosis is
  also known by other names such as hunchback,
  Scheuermann's disease, postural kyphosis, etc. it
  often results in loss of height and interferes
  with breathing.

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Types of Kyphosis (Curved Thoracic Spine)

• There are three types of kyphosis Postural,
  Scheuermanns, and congenital kyphosis.
• Postural Kyphosis This is the most common form
  of kyphosis, and is caused by poor posture.
  Postural kyphosis usually occurs in adolescents,
  and presents itself in girls more than boys. In
  most cases, this type of kyphosis can be
  corrected with physical therapy and exercise, and
  doesnt require any medical treatment.
• Scheuermanns Kyphosis This type of kyphosis
  also starts in adolescence and is caused by a
  wedging of the vertebrae which can contribute
  to the development of scoliosis. X-rays are
  required to identify this type, but doctors
  arent sure why it occurs.
• Congenital Kyphosis This is the rarest form of
  kyphosis. Congenital kyphosis (found at birth) is
  caused by abnormal development of the vertebrae
  before birth, and can cause vertebrae to fuse
  together. Surgery is usually recommended when
  kyphosis affects an infant, and can help treat
  the disorder before it worsens.

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What are the causes of Kyphosis (Curved Thoracic
Spine)?

• Since kyphosis of spine is of different types,
  the causes vary 
• Postural kyphosis is more common in girls and may
  be caused due to a poor posture and slouching.
• Scheuermann's kyphosis is more common in boys and
  becomes apparent between ages 10 - 15. What
  causes it is not been known yet. However, it is
  for certain that this condition has a tendency to
  run in families.
• Congenital kyphosis may occur during foetal
  development. This type of kyphosis is known to
  worsen as the affected child grows to become an
  adult. One severe and possible complication which
  might result from this condition is paralysis of
  the lower half of the body. In adults, the same
  condition may be caused by osteoporosis, cancer
  or benign tumours on spine bones, spina
  bifida, tuberculosis, Marfan syndrome or other
  connective tissue disorders, ankylosing
  spondylitis and conditions that cause paralysis.

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Symptoms

• If kyphosis is of a mild nature, then there are
  as such no noticeable symptoms. But severe cases
  are indicated by the affected person developing a
  slouching posture or a hunch back. The patient
  may begin to feel his spine becoming stiff or
  undergoing tenderness. Additionally, the patient
  may also suffer from back pain which can be mild
  or severe and he may suffer from back pain with
  movement. A forward posture of the head is also a
  symptom of kyphosis and so is a difference in
  shoulder height. Other than these, chest pain,
  tight hamstrings, breathing difficulty and
  fatigue are the symptoms which can accompany the
  condition of a rounded back. However, in some
  people, the neck (cervical spine) may also
  develop a kyphotic curve, i.e., an outward curve.
  So in this case, the symptoms might include
  limited neck movements, neck pain, weakness in
  arms or legs, difficulty walking, loss of grip
  strength, low bowel control and paralysis. As a
  whole, the symptoms will be similar in both the
  cases of kyphosis.

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Treatments

• Braces A brace is normally suggested for
  teenagers, who are still growing and are
  suffering from moderate to serious kyphosis. The
  brace, when worn regularly and as prescribed,
  slows down or prevents further progression of the
  condition. It may also correct the curvature to
  some extent. Patients, who wear braces, need to
  avoid certain things like, playing any rigorous
  sport and doing strenuous physical work. In some
  cases, adults may also be prescribed braces. The
  goal of braces is to reduce the intensity of
  pain. Medications Pain is one of the common
  symptoms of kyphosis. The doctor may prescribe
  pain killers in accordance with the intensity of
  pain that you experience.

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Treatments
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• Generally, doctors start with over-the-counter
  (OTC) pain killers, like, acetaminophen and
  NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
  If OTC pain killers fail to provide relief, your
  doctor will give you stronger medications to ease
  your condition.
• In case, tumour is the reason behind the
  condition, a medical practitioner may prescribe
  chemotherapy drugs as well. Exercises There
  are certain exercises that are designed
  specifically to relieve symptoms of kyphosis. If
  your doctor feels the need of such exercises for
  postural or cervical kyphosis cure, he may refer
  you to a physical therapy professional. You need
  to perform the exercises properly and as directed
  by the physical therapist. Be very careful with
  the number of repetitions for each exercise.

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Treatments
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• To be on the safer side, perform them under the
  supervision of an expert. Surgery Surgery is
  considered to be an option for treatment when the
  condition is congenital, caused by a cancerous
  growth, causes sharp pain, and involves some
  neurological or extreme deformities, which cannot
  be cured with non-surgical methods like, bracing
  and physiotherapy.
• Surgery always involves fusion and attachment of
  instruments to the spine. The new arrangement
  stabilizes the spine by correcting the deformity.
  The surgery, usually, leaves no chance of
  recurrence of the condition.

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Treatments
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• The fusion done during surgery, generally,
  employs a piece of the pelvic bone to connect two
  vertebrae together. It prevents the curvature
  from progressing. In addition to prescriptions
  and recommendations of your doctor, you should
  take care of your diet. Follow a healthy diet,
  which will strengthen your natural ability to
  recuperate fast, and thus, will help you get well
  soon.

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