What Is Postural Kyphosis?

Hunchback (rachiokyphosis) is a more common spine deformity, which is caused by the morphological changes of the thoracic spine. It is more common in diseases such as old spine deformity, incorrect sitting or rickets, and ankylosing spondylitis. Humpback can be corrected called active humpback. Cannot be corrected called fixed hump.

Basic Information

English name

Rachiokyphosis

Visiting department

orthopedics

Common locations

spine

Common causes

Scheuermann disease, vitamin D deficiency, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.

Common symptoms

Humpback

Causes of humpback and common diseases

1. Youth hump

Also known as "Juvenile Humps" and Scheuermann Disease. The lesions mainly involve the middle and lower thoracic vertebrae. The lesion occurred at the second ossification center of the vertebral body, that is, the sacral plate above and below the vertebral body. The thoracic segment of the spine is bent backwards, causing the vertebrae to bear more pressure on the front than on the back, and the necrosis of the anterior callus affects the development of the height of the anterior vertebra.

2. Vitamin D deficiency

Systemic calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorders and bone changes caused by insufficient vitamin D in the body. Its prominent manifestations are rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, and coexist osteoporosis. It also affects the functions of tissues and organs such as nerves, muscles, hematopoiesis, and immunity, and seriously affects children. Growth and development.

3. Ankylosing spondylitis

With the progress of the disease, the entire spine can undergo bottom-up rigidity: first, the lumbar lordosis curve disappears, and then the thoracic kyphosis becomes kyphosis; with the involvement of the cervical spine, the movement of the cervical spine is restricted, and finally the movement of the spine is restricted in all directions.

4. Mucopolysaccharidosis

Progressive joint distortion, kyphosis or scoliosis, common changes in chicken breast, hump, knee valgus or varus, and hand and foot flexion, valgus deformity, claw-shaped hand, etc.

Humpback inspection

Observe the back of the spine for scoliosis, you can take a thoracic spine radiograph.

Differential diagnosis of hump

Active hump

Postural hump, caused by poor posture, is more common in adolescents; paralytic hump, hump caused by trunk muscle weakness due to a certain disease; compensatory hump, often secondary to excessive lordosis of the lumbar spine, these humps are characterized by the back It is softer, and deformity can be corrected by movement. X-ray has no change of callus.

2. Fixed hump

The biggest difference between ankylosing spondylitis and Scheuermann's disease is that ankylosing and deformity not only affects the thoracic spine, but also affects the entire spine. At the same time, it is accompanied by changes in laboratory tests. Spinal tuberculosis and spinal fractures can also cause humpback. X-ray examination can confirm the diagnosis.

Humpback treatment principle

1. Treatment for primary disease.

2. For conservative treatment, patients should lie on a hard board, stretch their chest and back as much as possible when standing and sitting, and maintain a good posture. Avoid excessive bending or weight-bearing activities, while strengthening back muscle exercise to limit the increase in kyphosis.

3. The thoracic kyphosis is large. When it exceeds 50 °, it can be fixed with a bracket or plaster to try to correct the deformity. The use of passive fixation to correct deformities should pay close attention to its complications, such as soft tissue damage, overcorrection, and concurrent scoliosis. Use a stent or plaster for at least 1 year.

4. Corrective exercises, the purpose is to strengthen the strength of the back extensors and pull the ligaments in front of the chest.