Kyphosis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Cost, and Side Effects

Kyphosis is also known as 'Hunchback'. This is generally referred to as the excessive forward curvature of the upper back of your body. In this condition, the spine curves outward more than it normally should.

The spine has a natural curve that supports the posture and helps us stand upright. However, excessive bending can affect the posture and also makes it very difficult to stand upright.

1. Numbness in legs, slight tingling in hands and fingers.n
2. Exhaustion.n
3. Shortness of breath or other dyspnea due to narrowing of the airway by the spine.n
4. Imbalance.n
5. Bladder or intestinal incontinence.n
6. Loss of sensationn
7. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).n
8. Headache.n
9. Unstable while walking.n
10. Loss of fine motor skills of the hands.n
11. Weakness of the shoulders, arms, and hands.n
12. Pain in the neck, back, shoulders and arms.n
13. Poor urinary and stool control.

The vertebrae that make the spine are stacked like cylinders. The multiple reasons which Kyphosis is caused are:

Osteoporosis: Weak bones can cause curvature of the spine, especially if weak vertebrae develop compression fractures. Osteoporosis is a condition most common in older women and those who take corticosteroids for a long time.

Fractures: A fracture of the spine leads to very evident curvature of the spine. Compression fractures occur when the bones become very weak and brittle. Minor compression fractures often do not cause discernible signs or symptoms.

Scheuermann's disease: Also known as Scheuermann's kyphosis is a skeletal disorder in which uneven vertebrae growth usually begins during the rapid growth period that occurs before puberty.

Congenital kyphosis:
When during birth the spinal cord does not develop properly, congenital kyphosis condition occurs.It worsens if not treated.

Disk degradation: A soft circular disc acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. With age, these discs flatten and shrink, often exacerbating kyphosis.

Bad posture (kyphosis) – Leaning back in a chair or carrying a heavy bag stretches the supporting muscles and ligaments, increasing the curvature of the spine.

Age – With age, the curvature of the spine may increase.

The problem of Kyphosis can be prevented in several ways. The patient suffering from this condition must be very careful in his or her day-to-day life.

Do’s

• Maintain a healthy posture.
• Strengthening of abdominal muscles.
• Maintain optimum body weight.
• Try to sit in an upright position.

Don’ts

• Slouching
• Excessive bending
• Carrying heavy bags

Initially, the doctor, preferably an orthopedic doctor will go through all the symptoms and problems faced by the patient. He or she will personally check the amount of soreness and numbness in the back area and other parts of the body. After going through all the basic routine checks, he will then prescribe the necessary tests.

During your health assessment, your doctor may ask you to perform a series of exercises to determine if your balance and range of motion are affected. Your doctor may also ask you to lie down to see if the curvature of your spine is caused by poor posture or a structural problem. The spine is not always straight when lying down, but poor posture can cause kyphosis (postural kyphosis). However, if your spine is still curved when you lie down, it could be caused by a problem with the structure of your spine, such as Scheuermann's kyphosis or congenital kyphosis, or postural kyphosis

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and kyphosis symptoms, then perform a physical examination to determine your condition. The tests include an assessment ofn

• Balance
• Movement
• Posture
• Reflexes
• Strength

The initial test that needs to be conducted is an X-Ray. An X-Ray is done with a penetrating form of radiation called ultrasonic waves. It makes the internal part of the body and the organs visible. This is because different tissues absorb different amounts of radiation. The calcium in the bones of a human absorbs radiation the most, which is why bones appear white and give clarity about the condition of the bone. In this case, the X-Ray can be done to get into the root cause of kyphosis.

The next major tests that need to be conducted are:

CT scan - CT scan, Computed Tomography is a test in which multiple x-rays are done to form a 3-dimensional image of a person’s spine in order to get a clear idea of the damage caused to the spine. n

MRI scan - MRI scan in technical terms is known as Magnetic Resonance Imaging. High-powered electromagnetic waves and strong magnetic fields are used to get a clear image of the inside of the spine which helps locate the damage caused in the internal tissues of the spine.

Kyphosis generally cannot be checked at home as it deals with the damage caused to the spinal cord. The only means by which Kyphosis can be determined is through major scans and blood tests.

Exercise is an effective home remedy for Kyphosis. Kyphosis exercises are carefully designed and prescribed by the doctor to help a patient suffering from kyphosis get some relief. It improves body function and prevents complete disability to some extent. Some exercises that can be done on a regular basis by patients suffering from Kyphosis are :n

Mirror image
For this exercise, you need to simply move in the opposite direction of the posture you want to correct.

• Stand up against the wall if necessary.
• Tuck back your chin and bring your head over your shoulders.
• Lower the shoulder blades back and hold for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Rest if you feel pain.
• If it is difficult to keep the head against the wall while maintaining the chin position, place a pillow behind and press the head into the pillow.

Head retraction

This exercise must be done while lying on the floor or in a comfortable resting position to get effective results. This particular exercise is great for the muscles of the cervical spine that are mostly stretched out and weak.

• You will have to pull your chin back towards the floor as if trying to make a double chin.
• Hold this position for about 20 seconds.

Life extension
The main aim of this exercise is to stretch the muscles of the chest and also strengthen the fragile muscles of the spinal area.

• Stand straight with knees in a relaxed position and core engaged with chest muscles upright. Keep your shoulder blades in a relaxed manner.
• Raise your arms in a position where thumbs point behind you.
• Take 2 to 3 deep breaths, maintain the same posture, and then exhale.
• This process must be repeated 4 to 6 times.

Kyphosis can be corrected during its initial stages with proper exercise and by maintaining a proper posture. The same routine needs to be practiced throughout so that Kyphosis does not relapse.

The most important thing that needs to be consumed in Kyphosis is calcium. Calcium is a highly important mineral for the human body, and it's extremely vital for Kyphosis patients to add them to their daily diet through supplements or whole foods. The other foods that must be included in the diet of the Kyphosis patient are:

• Broccoli
• Avocado
• Brussels sprouts
• Tomato
• Kale
• Apples
• Carrots
• Cauliflower

There are various food items that very adversely impact the patients who are suffering from Kyphosis.

Listed here are some that need to be completely avoided :

• Sugary Items such as sugar, chocolates, etc
• Refined Grains
• Processed Foods
• Foods with Chemicals
• Oily and Fast Foods
• Wheat Germ

Kyphosis can be treated by surgical methods and sometimes exercises may help to depend on the seriousness of the condition. In the initial stages of Kyphosis physical exercise and medicine may show positive results. Surgery is mostly required for people suffering from severe Kyphosis or Congenital Kyphosis.

A physical check-up by the doctor will help determine any abnormal curvature of the spine. The doctor will also look for changes in the nervous system (neurological). Such as dizziness, weakness, paralysis, or loss of sensation below the curve and any differences in reflexes.

You should go to urgent care for Kyphosis if the pain is unbearable and no anti-inflammatories are working. The patient must be immediately rushed for treatment. Here, at Pristyn Care urgent care and the emergency rooms are available 24 / 7 for such cases

Specifically for Kyphosis, a neurophysiologist or an orthopedic specialist must be consulted. You can also call Pristyn Care to get connected with the specialists.

The medicine that needs to be taken for Kyphosis should be taken as per the advice and the dosage prescribed by the physician.

Yes, the initial stages of Kyphosis are sometimes treatable with exercise. Without surgery, Kyphosis can be treated by the “Back Bracing Technique”. Teens moderate kyphosis must wear back brace. The brace is put on while the bone is still growing to prevent the curvature from getting worse. Wearing the brace may feel cramped at first. However, most people will get used to it after a while. Modern braces are so that you can participate in physical activities. The brace can be put off once the spines stops growing. This is usually around 14 or he's 15. Adults do not require braces since they already have a fully grown spine.

Surgery can help correct the appearance of your back and reduce pain. Kyphosis surgery is usually recommended when severe curvature of the spine causes persistent pain that cannot be controlled with medication. Without surgery, the structure of the spine may continue to deteriorate. The typical surgical methods/techniques used to treat Kyphosis are Osteotomy, combined with Spinal Fusion, and Balloon Kyphoplasty.

The surgical technique called spinal fusion is commonly used to treat kyphosis. A cut is made on the back during surgery. The curvature of the spine is straightened using metal rods and the spine is fixed with bone grafts. Bone grafts usually use donated bone, but they can also be grafted from other parts of the body, such as bone within a bone

This procedure takes 4-8 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Patients may need to be hospitalized for up to a week after kyphosis surgery. You will have to wear a back brace to support your spine until the spine gets healed. The patient can return to school, college, or work in 4 to 6 weeks after surgery or as suggested by the surgeon and exercise can be resumed after six months based on your recovery. One can approach Pristyn Care if they wish to know more about the surgical procedures or need to undergo the surgery.

The average cost of Khyphoplasty in India ranges between 3 to 5 lacs. This price range is different in various states across the country.

Kyphosis surgery is instrumented posterior spinal fusion. The surgery itself takes 4-5 hours and the hospital stay is for 3-4 days. Recovery usually takes one to three months at home.nPhysical activity should be very minimal until the spine gets back to its shape.

The permanency of the kyphosis treatment will largely depend upon the surgery post-care. Usually, the treatment sustains if proper care is taken, and regular exercises are performed, otherwise, there are chances of relapse of the disease. Refer your doctor about what you can do to prevent kyphosis from recurring.

Follow your doctor's or physical therapist's advice closely, including regular exercise and follow-up visits to monitor your recovery.

Postoperative pain and/or discomfort are to be expected. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) allows patients to control pain without the help of hospital staff and can be replaced with oral medications.

Physical therapy is added after surgery to help patients increase strength, promotes blood circulation, and enhances healing power. The patient continues physical therapy for some time in an outpatient setting. In addition, therapists provide patients with personalized home exercise programs.

Some complications of spinal fusion surgery include

• Infection after surgery
• Excessive bleeding at the surgical site

Loss of bladder and bowel function due to accidental damage to the nerves passing through the spine. Before deciding on spinal surgery, you should closely discuss the pros and cons of kyphosis surgery with your surgeon.

Early diagnosis of kyphosis is very important as it may reduce the chances of surgery. However, if you have to undergo kyphosis surgery it will help remedy the condition but you must follow the post-treatment guidelines given by your surgeon. You must exercise regularly to maintain a good posture and this can dramatically improve the overall quality of your life.