Kyphosis
Kyphosis may be caused by poor posture during childhood or be the result of abnormally shaped vertebrae or developmental problems with the spine.
Your spine extends from your skull to your pelvis. It'smade up of 24 individual rectangular-shaped bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another.
The vertebrae are separated by soft pads, or discs, which act as shock absorbers. The vertebrae are held together by tough bands of tissue called ligaments. Together with the spinal muscles, the ligaments give the back its strength.
In cases of kyphosis, the middle section of vertebrae, known as the thoracic vertebrae, are curved out of position.
Everyone has some amount of curvature in their spine to allow space inside the chest for organs such as the heart and lungs. There is a range of curvature which is considered normal. However, excessive curvature can lead to symptoms.
There are several reasons why the vertebrae can be affected in this way. These are discussed below.
Poor posture in childhood, such as slouching, leaning back in chairs and carrying heavyschoolbags, can cause the ligaments and muscles that support the vertebrae to stretch. This can pull the thoracic vertebrae out of their normal position, resulting in kyphosis.
Kyphosiscaused by poorposture is known as postural kyphosis.
Kyphosis can also be caused when the vertebrae don't develop correctly. They can take on a wedged, triangular shape, rather than the normal rectangular, box-like shape.This leads to the vertebraebeing out of position andis known as Scheuermanns kyphosis.
In people withScheuermann's kyphosis, the ligaments surrounding the veterbrae can also be thicker than normal, which may contribute further to the condition.
It's not known what disrupts the normal formation of the spine. One idea is that the blood supply to the vertebrae becomes disrupted, affecting the growth of the vertebrae. There also appears to be a geneticlink, as the condition occasionally runs in families.
Congenital kyphosis is caused when something disrupts the normal development of the spine before birth. In many cases, two or more of the vertebrae fuse together.
It'soften unclear why certain children are affected in this way. However, some cases of congenital kyphosis run in families, so it seems Genetics also play a role in this type of kyphosis.
Conditions that can cause kyphosis include:
Kyphosis can also sometimes develop as a result of an injury to the spine.
Kyphosis is a condition where the top of the back is excessively curved and appears more rounded than normal.
Kyphosis is often caused by poor posture during childhood. It can also be the result of abnormal shaped vertebrae or developmental problems with the spine.
Kyphosis can usually be diagnosed by examining your spine and taking an X-ray.
Postural kyphosis can usually be corrected by improving your posture. Scheuermann's kyphosis usually improves once you're fully grown.