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Severe kyphosis affects an estimated 20-40 adults over the age of 60, however, the numbers are much higher among teenagers
Slouching is usually considered a bad posture habit, which many parents may be nitpicking their teens for. While it may also be just a bad sitting position, according to experts, a slouch that does not go away can be due to Scheuermann’s kyphosis, a condition where your spine curves outward more than it should.
Doctors say the condition leads to the upper back around the thoracic region—the place between your spine, neck and ribs—to bend forward permanently. This curvature also makes it look like you are hunched over. Statistics say severe kyphosis affects an estimated 20–40 per cent of adults over the age of 60 years; however, the numbers are much higher among teenagers.
How does kyphosis happen?
Your spine has natural curves that support the posture and help you stand straight. However, excessive curvature affects your body and makes it extremely difficult to stand erect. Doctors say most of the time, kyphosis does not lead to serious health issues or medical treatment, but it can make you stand out from others.
In severe cases, kyphosis leads to pain and breathing issues, which would then require surgery for treatment.
Signs and symptoms of kyphosis
The main signs and symptoms include:
- Rounded shoulders
- A curve or hump in your upper back
- Tight hamstring muscles
- Subtle pain or stiffness in your back and shoulder blades
- Feeling numb or weak around your legs
- Extreme fatigue and tiredness
- Experiencing balance issues
- Bladder incontinence
- Breathlessness
What causes Scheuermann’s kyphosis?
According to experts, it is common for doctors to diagnose the condition between ages 13 and 16 years as teenagers' bones grow rapidly. However, doctors say it can develop in anyone at any age. As humans age, the vertebrae lose flexibility, and the spine may begin to tilt forward.
You can also be born with the congenital form of kyphosis. This can happen in addition to other underlying health conditions that affect your growth and development in the uterus.
The cause of kyphosis varies depending on the type but could include:
- Consistent poor posture
- Structural abnormalities of the bones in your spine
- Bone growth abnormalities
- A spinal injury
- Age issues
How would you know if it's just a slouch or kyphosis?
When it comes to children, as a parent, you must notice the signs. If, despite being told the slouching persists, you may take the child for a scoliosis screening, which can confirm the diagnosis.
At any age, your doctor can diagnose kyphosis after a physical exam, for which you may be asked to perform a bending test. For this, you need to stand with your feet together, knees straight and your arms hanging at your side. Then, you have to gently bend forward, looking toward your feet. This test helps your provider see the spine curve or any other spine problems.
How is kyphosis treated?
There are various ways to treat this slouching condition, which include:
Physical therapy
Various kinds of exercises help strengthen abdominal and back muscles to relieve pain and improve posture.
Medication
Any over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications relieve back pain.
Back brace
Doctors can provide you with a back brace to help you stand straight and keep the spine in an erect position.
Surgery
Surgery helps reduce spine curvature through fusion. During the procedure, your surgeon lines up your vertebrae in a straighter position and fuses them together by using small pieces of bone to fill the spaces between your vertebrae.
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