Kyphosis

Overview

What is kyphosis?

Kyphosis is a spinal condition. In people with kyphosis, their spine curves outward more than it should. As a result, their upper back looks overly rounded. The curvature can make people look hunched or as if they’re slouching. People sometimes call it “hunchback” or “round back.”

Your spine has natural curves. These curves support your posture and help you stand straight. But excessive curvature can affect posture and make standing difficult.

How will kyphosis affect me?

Most of the time, kyphosis doesn’t cause health problems or need medical treatment. But it may make you feel self-conscious about how you look. In severe cases, kyphosis can cause pain or breathing issues. Severe kyphosis may require surgery to correct.

Who gets kyphosis?

Kyphosis (postural) appears more often in teenagers, whose bones are growing rapidly. But it can develop in anyone. It may also develop in older adults. As people age, the vertebrae lose flexibility, and their spine may begin to tilt forward. You can also be born with (congenital) the condition.

What are the types of kyphosis?

The three most common types of kyphosis are postural kyphosis, Scheuermann’s kyphosis and congenital kyphosis.

What is postural kyphosis?

The most common type of kyphosis, postural kyphosis usually happens during the teenage years. Slouching or poor posture stretches the ligaments and muscles holding the vertebrae (spinal bones) in place. That stretching pulls the vertebrae out of their normal position, causing a rounded shape in the spine.

Postural kyphosis:

• Has a flexible curve — changing position changes the curvature.
• Happens to teenagers and affects girls more than boys.
• Doesn’t usually cause pain or problems.

What is Scheuermann’s kyphosis?

This type is named after the radiologist who first identified the condition. It happens when the vertebrae have a different shape. Instead of being rectangular, the vertebrae have a wedge shape. The wedge-shaped bones curve forward, making the spine look rounded.

Scheuermann’s kyphosis:

• Appears more often in teens and affects boys more than girls.
• Can be more severe than postural kyphosis, especially in people below average weight.
• Causes a rigid, not flexible, curve — changing position won’t change the curve.
• Can be painful, especially during activity or when standing or sitting for a long me.

What is congenital kyphosis?

Congenital means a condition you’re born with. People with congenital kyphosis are born with a spine that didn’t develop properly before birth.

Congenital kyphosis:

• Can get worse as your child grows.
• Typically needs surgery at a young age to stop the curve from getting worse.
• May be present along with other birth defects that affect the heart and kidneys.

How common is kyphosis?

Kyphosis happens in about 0.04% to 10% of school-age kids (up to 1 in 10 children, or as many as 5.6 million in the U.S.). Scheuermann’s kyphosis makes up most of those cases. Most people with kyphosis receive a diagnosis when they’re 12 to 17 years old. Boys have Scheuermann’s kyphosis about twice as often as girls do.