Kyphosis

Diagnosis

The doctor will perform physical assessment and let you move into various directions to check for spinal curvature as well as neurological assessment to check for the any damage to the nerve’s reflexes and strength of the muscles.

The following tests may also be recommended:

• X-rays. Shows the spines curvature and any deformities.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans. Shows a more detailed image of the spine.
• MRI. Views tumors or presence of infection.
• Nerve tests. Checks for nerve impulses between your spinal cord and extremities to detect any muscle weakness or numbness.
• Bone density tests. Brittle bones or bones with less density may lead to severe kyphosis.

Treatment

The treatment is based on patient’s age and the cause and severity of kyphosis.

Medications

• Pain relievers. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium are often available but if they are not enough, prescription pain relievers may be taken.
• Osteoporosis medications. Further spinal fractures leading to severe kyphosis can be avoided by taking medications that can strengthen the bones.

Therapy

The doctor may advice therapy to help in kyphosis treatment such as:

• Braces. Wearing a body brace can help eradicate the progress of kyphosis in children with Scheuermann’s disease.
• Exercises. The spine may regain its flexibility and alleviate back pain through stretching exercises.

Surgical and other procedures

In severe cases of kyphosis that has nerve compression, surgery by spinal fusion may be advised by the surgeon. It is the most common procedure to reduce spinal curvature. The surgeon places bone pieces between the vertebrae and locks them together using metal hardware (rods and screws) and waits for the spine to return to its normal alignment.