Kyphosis is a forward rounding of the back that is excessive. It can strike anybody at any age, although it is most frequent in women in their forties and fifties. The most common cause of age-related kyphosis is a weakening in the spinal bones, which leads them to compress or crack. Other kinds of kyphosis can develop in newborns or teenagers as a result of spinal deformity or long-term wedging of the spinal bones.

Mild kyphosis has minimal consequences. Severe kyphosis can be painful and unsightly. Kyphosis treatment is determined by your age, as well as the source and effects of the curvature.

SYMPTOMS:

The predominant sign of kyphosis is a hump in the upper back or rounded shoulders. Hamstring tightness (muscles in the back of the thigh) is another symptom.

Other symptoms may be present in those with a more severe curve, such as:

• Back and shoulder blades pain or stiffness.
• Legs that are numb and tingling.
• Extreme exhaustion.
• Due to the spine pushing against the airways, you may have shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties.
• Problems with balance.
• Incontinence of the bladder or bowel.

TYPES:

DEGENERATIVE KYPHOSIS:

This kind of kyphosis is frequently caused by spinal arthritis. The curvature of the spine is mainly caused by the wear and tear of the spine and its joints over time.

NEUROMUSCULAR KYPHOSIS :

Kyphosis in this type is often associated with cerebral palsy, polio, and muscular dystrophy in children who already have neuromuscular diseases.

POSTURAL KYPHOSIS : 

Postural kyphosis is more frequent in women and is rarely accompanied by discomfort. It is frequently treated with core muscle strengthening exercises or posture corrections.

SCHEUERMANN’S KYPHOSIS:

Scheuermann’s Kyphosis is more frequent in men and is commonly treated with bracing, since it occurs when the spine is still growing and developing.

TRAUMATIC KYPHOSIS :

Traumatic kyphosis is a condition that arises when a spinal fracture does not heal properly, resulting in a misalignment of the spine. Injury to the supporting tissues might also cause it.

THORACIC KYPHOSIS:

Thoracic kyphosis is a spinal abnormality in which the thoracic area of the spine has an extreme outward curvature, resulting in an abnormal shape and maybe accompanying symptoms, including back pain and stiffness.

 NUTRITIONAL KYPHOSIS:

Vitamin and dietary inadequacies are linked to this kind of kyphosis. It has been related to a deficiency in vitamin D in particular.

CAUSES:

• The curvature of the spine can be caused by broken or crushed vertebrae (compression fractures). Mild compression fractures typically go undetected due to the lack of visible signs and symptoms.
• This illness, also known as Scheuermann’s kyphosis, usually develops during a growth spurt before puberty. 
• This bone-thinning condition can result in spinal curvature, particularly if weaker vertebrae induce compression fractures. Older women and persons who have taken corticosteroids for a long time are more likely to develop osteoporosis.

DIAGNOSIS:

In most cases, your doctor will perform a comprehensive physical examination, which will include measuring your height. While your doctor examines your spine from the side, you may be asked to lean forward from the waist. A neurological exam to examine your reflexes and muscle strength may also be performed by your doctor.

Your doctor may suggest the following after reviewing your signs and symptoms:

MRI: Infection or a tumour in your spine might be detected using these photos.

X-rays or CT scans: X-rays can be used to measure the degree of curvature and diagnose vertebral abnormalities. If your doctor desires more comprehensive pictures, a CT scan may be advised.

Nerve tests: If you have numbness or muscular weakness, your doctor may suggest testing to see how well nerve impulses pass between your spinal cord and your extremities.

Bone density tests: Kyphosis can be increased by low-density bone.

Treatment:

Treatment for kyphosis is determined by the nature and severity of your problem.

Osteoporosis medications:

Bone-strengthening drugs might help you avoid more spinal fractures, which would aggravate your kyphosis.

Therapy :

Your doctor may advise you to:

Exercise: Stretching exercises may aid in the improvement of spinal flexibility and the alleviation of back pain.

Bracing: While their bones are still growing, children with Scheuermann’s illness may be able to block the growth of kyphosis by wearing a body brace.

Surgical and other procedures

When severe kyphosis pinches the spinal cord or nerve roots, surgery may be indicated. The most frequent surgery for minimizing the degree of curvature is spinal fusion. The surgeon places bone fragments between the vertebrae and then uses metal rods and screws to hold them together until the spine recovers in the right position.

CONCLUSION:

So to conclude, Kyphosis affects the kyphotic curve, in which the spine is curved forward. Hyperkyphosis is the medical word for abnormal curvature of the thoracic spine. However, because aberrant kyphosis and hyperkyphosis are widely referred to as kyphosis in the medical world, the term kyphosis will be used to refer to abnormal kyphosis in this discussion. To put it another way, kyphosis is a malformation of the upper back spine that causes an excessive outward bend.The head can balance straight over the pelvis due to the natural bends of the spine. The head may not correctly balance over the pelvis if one or more of these curves is either too big or too little.