Kyphosis

Kyphosis is a curving of the spine that causes a bowing or rounding of the back. This leads to a hunchback or slouching posture.

Causes of Kyphosis

Kyphosis can occur at any age, although it is rare at birth.

A type of kyphosis that occurs in young teens is known as Scheuermann disease. It is caused by the wedging together of several bones of the spine (vertebrae) in a row. The cause of this condition is unknown. Kyphosis can also occur in young teens who have cerebral palsy.

In adults, kyphosis can be caused by:

• Degenerative diseases of the spine (such as arthritis or disk degeneration)
• Fractures caused by osteoporosis (osteoporotic compression fractures)
• Injury (trauma)
• Slipping of one vertebra forward on another (spondylolisthesis)

Other causes of kyphosis include:

• Certain hormone (endocrine) diseases
• Connective tissue disorders
• Infection (such as tuberculosis)
• Muscular dystrophy (group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue)
• Neurofibromatosis (disorder in which nerve tissue tumors form)
• Paget disease (disorder that involves abnormal bone destruction and regrowth)
• Polio
• Scoliosis (curving of the spine often looks like a C or S)
• Spina bifida (birth defect in which the backbone and spinal canal don't close before birth)
• Tumors

Symptoms of Kyphosis

Pain in the middle or lower back is the most common symptom. Other symptoms may include any of the following:

• Round back appearance
• Tenderness and stiffness in the spine
• Fatigue
• Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)