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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > Disease > K > Kyphosis

Kyphosis    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Scheuermann disease; Roundback

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the disorder:

Congenital kyphosis requires corrective surgery at an early age.

Sheuermann'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 is no neurologic deficit or pain, but the osteoporosis needs to be treated to help prevent future fractures. For debilitating deformity or pain surgery is an option.

Kyphosis secondary to infection or tumor needs to be treated more aggressively, often with surgery and medications.

Treatment for other types of kyphosis includes identifying the cause of the kyphosis. Surgery may be indicated if neurological symptoms occur.

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

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of kyphosis.

Ency. home > Disease > K > Kyphosis

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