About Kyphosis

A postural kyphosis corrects itself when lying down on a flat surface, or when the spine is hyper-extended. There are no noticeable vertebral abnormalities on X-rays because structural damage or deformity does not cause this kyphosis. Postural kyphosis is easily corrected with education about proper posture, including some retraining on how to sit and stand correctly. Special bracing or casting is usually not necessary. Strengthening exercises for the back muscles can be helpful in correcting posture.

Kyphosis Treatment

Non-surgical Treatment
Non-surgical treatments are chosen first whenever possible and commonly include medications, exercise, and certain types of braces to support the spine.

If osteoporosis is present, treatment of the condition may also slow the progression of the degenerative kyphosis. This can be accomplished in several ways. The current recommendations include increasing calcium and vitamin D intake, hormone replacement therapy, and weight-bearing exercises.

• Physical Therapy
  Adolescents and adults with kyphosis may work with a physical therapist. A well-rounded rehabilitation program assists in calming pain and inflammation, improving mobility and strength, and helping you do your daily activities with greater ease and ability. Exercise has not proven helpful for changing the kyphotic curve in the back. However, it can be helpful in providing pain relief. Therapy sessions may be scheduled two to three times each week for up to six weeks.The goals of physical therapy are to help you learn correct posture and body movements to counteract the effects of kyphosis, maintain appropriate activity levels, maximize your range of motion and strength and learn ways to manage your condition.
• Bracing
  Bracing is the standard treatment to control curve progression in adolescents if the patient is still growing and the curve is likely to get bigger. It is important that the patient wear the brace daily for the number of hours prescribed by the doctor. Sometimes an adolescent might feel self-conscious about wearing a brace. Though the brace can help the curve from getting worse, it may take some time for the patient (and caregiver) to get used to it. Adults tend to be less concerned about what their peers think, but adolescence is a time when appearance is often of great importance. Listen to the child’s concerns and look for ways to help overcome feelings about appearance.A spinal brace may provide some pain relief. In adults, it will not cause the spine to straighten. Once you have reached skeletal maturity, bracing is used for pain relief rather than prevention.

Surgical Treatment
The most common reason for kyphosis surgery is pain relief for chronic discomfort that keeps getting worse. Most cases of adult kyphosis surgeries are done to relieve severe pain. However, if the pain is manageable through conservative treatments, surgery will probably not be recommended.

Progression of the kyphosis deformity is another reason for considering surgery. If the curvature continues to worsen, surgery may be suggested. Surgery is recommended in this situation to prevent the problems that come from severe kyphosis.

When adult kyphosis requires surgery, doctors may choose many different procedures. Each case of kyphosis is somewhat different and may require a very specialized approach for optimal results. Surgery is suggested to solve the problems brought on by the kyphosis, not just to straighten the spine. The goals of most surgical procedures for adult kyphosis are to:

• Reduce the deformity (straighten the spine as much as possible)
• Stop the progression of the deformity
• Remove any pressure from the nerves and spinal cord
• Protect the nerves and spinal cord from further damage

To achieve these goals, your surgeon may suggest an operation on the back of the spine, the front of the spine-or both. The goal is to first straighten the spine and then to fuse the vertebrae together into one solid bone (fusion).

Nearly all surgeons will use some type of instrumentation metal screws, plates, or rods, in order to help straighten the spine and hold the vertebrae in place while the fusion heals and becomes solid. The screws are placed into the vertebrae. The rods or plates then attach to the screws to connect everything together. Tightened together, they form an internal brace to hold the vertebrae in alignment while the fusion heals.