What is Kyphosis?

The spine is supposed to have some curves from the side; they help it efficiently carry weight and absorb the body's movements. When looked at from the side, your thoracic spine (mid-back) should have a gentle rounding of 20º-40º. If it starts to curve more than that, it is called hyperkyphosis, or simply kyphosis. It can give patients an extremely rounded back look.

There are several important terms related to the types of kyphosis:

• Postural curve: This curve is most likely the result of poor posture. A patient can consciously correct the curve.
• Structural curve: A patient cannot correct this type of curve because it is not related to posture (especially slouching). The curve will often have a sharp, angular peak called a Gibbus.
• Secondary kyphosis: Hyperkyphosis is often the result of another problem in the spine, so doctors say that the kyphosis is "secondary to the other condition." Conditions such as vertebral fractures or disc degeneration can cause kyphosis.
• Primary kyphosis: Primary kyphosis does not result from another problem in the spine. The most common form of primary kyphosis is Scheuermann's kyphosis. A few details about Scheuermann’s kyphosis:
  • The exact cause of Scheuermann’s is not known, so doctors say it is "idiopathic."
  • Scheuermann's kyphosis is usually first noted when the patient is between 12 and 14 years old, although the condition may start earlier in life.
• Congenital Kyphosis: In the pediatric and young adult patient. This is akin to congenital scoliosis, but the growth deficiencies at birth cause progressive kyphosis rather than scoliosis. Sometimes a patient will have both progressive scoliosis and kyphosis.