Kyphosis

Kyphosis
Classification and external resources

A preoperative image of a 22-year-old male with Scheuermann's disease, a type of structural kyphosis
ICD-10 M40.0-M40.2, M42.0, E64.3,Q76.4, M84.0, M96.2, M96.3
ICD-9 732.0, 737.0, 737.1, 756.19
DiseasesDB 21885
MedlinePlus 001240
MeSH D007738

Kyphosis (Greek - kyphos, a hump), also called roundback or Kelso's hunchback, is a condition of over-curvature of the thoracic vertebrae (upper back). It can be either the result of degenerative diseases (such as arthritis), developmental problems (the most common example being Scheuermann's disease), osteoporosis with compression fractures of the vertebrae, and/or trauma.

In the sense of a deformity, it is the pathological curving of the spine, where parts of the spinal column lose some or all of their lordotic profile. This causes a bowing of the back, seen as a slouching posture.

While most cases of kyphosis are mild and only require routine monitoring, serious cases can be debilitating. High degrees of kyphosis can cause severe pain and discomfort, breathing and digestion difficulties, cardiovascular irregularities, neurological compromise, and in the more severe cases, significantly shortened life-spans. These types of high end curves typically do not respond well to conservative treatment, and almost always warrant spinal fusion surgery, which can successfully restore the body's natural degree of curvature.
The Cobb angle is the preferred method of measuring kyphosis.

Contents

Classification

There are several kinds of kyphosis (ICD-10 codes are provided):

Treatments

Orthosis (brace)

Body braces showed benefit in a randomised controlled trial.[8]

The Milwaukee brace is one particular body brace that is often used to treat kyphosis in the US. Modern CAD / CAM braces are used in Europe to treat different types of kyphosis. These are much easier to wear and have better in-brace corrections than reported for the Milwaukee brace. Since there are different curve patterns (thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbar) different types of braces are in use. The advantages / disadvantages of different braces are discussed in a recent review article.[7]

Specialised physical therapy

In Germany, a standard treatment for both Scheuermann's disease and lumbar kyphosis is the Schroth method, a system of physical therapy for scoliosis and related spinal deformities.[9]

Surgery

Surgical treatment can be used in severe cases. In patients with progressive kyphotic deformity due to vertebral collapse, a procedure called a kyphoplasty may arrest the deformity and relieve the pain. Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, requiring only a small opening in the skin. The main goal is to return the damaged vertebra as close as possible to its original height.[10]

Complications

The risk of serious complications from spinal fusion surgery for kyphosis is estimated to be 5%, similar to the risks of surgery for scoliosis. Possible complications may be inflammation of the soft tissue or deep inflammatory processes, breathing impairments, bleeding, and nerve injuries. According to the latest evidence, the actual rate of complications may be substantially higher. Even among those who do not suffer serious complications, 5% of patients require reoperation within five years of the procedure, and in general it is not yet clear what to expect from spine surgery in the long-term.[11][12] Taking into account that signs and symptoms of spinal deformity cannot be changed by surgical intervention, surgery remains to be a cosmetic indication.[11][13] Unfortunately, the cosmetic effects of surgery are not necessarily stable.[11] In case one decides to undergo surgery, a specialised centre should be preferred.

See also

References

  1. ^ Annals of Human Biology, Volume 1, Number 3 / July 1974.
  2. ^ a b Kado DM, Prenovost K, Crandall C (2007). "Narrative review: hyperkyphosis in older persons". Ann. Intern. Med. 147 (5): 330–8. PMID 17785488. http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/147/5/330. 
  3. ^ Keller TS, Harrison DE, Colloca CJ, Harrison DD, Janik TJ (2003). "Prediction of osteoporotic spinal deformity". Spine 28 (5): 455–62. doi:10.1097/00007632-200303010-00009. PMID 12616157. 
  4. ^ Osteopathy: A Complete Health Care System, by Leon Chaitow N.D., D.O., M.R.O.
  5. ^ Back.com and [1] Emedicine.com
  6. ^ Natural History of Congenital Kyphosis and Kyphoscoliosis. A Study of One Hundred and Twelve Patients - MCMASTER and SINGH 81 (10): 1367 - Journal of Bone no People and Joint Surgery
  7. ^ a b c Weiss HR, Turnbull D. 2010. Kyphosis (Physical and technical rehabilitation of patients with Scheuermann's disease and kyphosis). In: JH Stone, M Blouin, editors. International Encyclopedia of Rehabilitation. Available online: http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/encyclopedia/article.php?id=125&language=en
  8. ^ Pfeifer M, Begerow B, Minne HW (2004). "Effects of a new spinal orthosis on posture, trunk strength, and quality of life in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis: a randomized trial". American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation / Association of Academic Physiatrists 83 (3): 177–86. doi:10.1097/01.PHM.0000113403.16617.93. PMID 15043351. 
  9. ^ Lehnert-Schroth, Christa (2007). Three-Dimensional Treatment for Scoliosis: A Physiotherapeutic Method for Deformities of the Spine. (Palo Alto, CA: The Martindale Press): 185-187 and passim.
  10. ^ http://www.spineuniversity.com/kyphoplasty
  11. ^ a b c Hawes M. 2006. Impact of spine surgery on signs and symptoms of spinal deformity. Pediatr Rehabil. Oct-Dec;9(4):318-39.
  12. ^ Weiss HR, Goodall D: Rate of complications in scoliosis surgery - a systematic review of the Pub Med literature. Scoliosis. 2008 Aug 5;3:9.
  13. ^ Hawes MC, O'Brien JP. 2008. A century of spine surgery: What can patients expect? Disabil Rehabil. 30(10):808-17.

External links