It is a curvature of the spine that causes a bowing of the back, which is known as a hump or bump.
- In adolescents, kyphosis is known as Scheuermann's disease: thoracic kyphosis increases for unknown reasons and even causes structural changes in the vertebrae.
- In adults, kyphosis can be caused by multiple fractures resulting from osteoporosis or arthritis.
Depending on the cause, the treatment differs:
- If congenital, corrective surgery is needed.
- If adolescent, it is usually treated with a brace and physiotherapy. Surgery is only indicated in very painful and large curvatures.
- Osteoporotic fractures may not require surgery, but the patient would have to be treated for the osteoarthritis or osteoporosis which originated the curvature.
