Kyphosis (Hunchback):
Is it just poor posture, or is it a serious illness?
Almost all of us heard the warning “Stand up straight!” as children. However, with today's generation glued to computer screens and constantly looking at their phones, this warning has taken on much greater significance. In medical literature, kyphosis, commonly known as “hunchback,” can mean much more than just an aesthetic concern. So, is that curvature you see in the mirror just a bad habit, or is it a spinal deformity that requires treatment?
What is Kyphosis?
When viewed from the side, the human spine is not straight; there is a hollow in the neck and waist, and a slight outward curve in the back region. This natural curvature (between 20 and 45 degrees) is necessary for the body's balance. However, in a condition called kyphosis, this outward curvature in the back region exceeds normal limits (above 50-55 degrees), causing the person to lean forward.
Types of Kyphosis: Postural Problem or Structural Issue?
Not all hunchbacks are the same, and the treatment approach is determined entirely based on this distinction.
1. Postural Kyphosis (Posture Disorder)
This is the most common type we encounter. It usually develops during adolescence due to poor posture habits, weak back muscles, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Key Difference: The patient can stand upright when asked to do so and straighten their spine.
Treatment: It usually does not require surgery. It can be corrected with physical therapy, swimming, Pilates, and posture training.
2. Scheuermann's Kyphosis (Structural Hunchback)
It is a condition seen in young people and develops due to deformity of the vertebrae (kyphosis).
Key Difference: Even if the patient wants to, they cannot stand completely upright; the spine has ossified in that position. The pain is more pronounced.
Treatment: Depending on the degree of curvature, a brace or surgical treatment may be necessary.
3. Age-Related (Degenerative) Kyphosis
It is a “senile hump” that develops with advancing age due to bone loss (osteoporosis) and spinal fractures resulting in spinal collapse.
What Are the Symptoms of Kyphosis?
Although a visually forward-leaning posture is the most obvious finding, as kyphosis progresses, it can lead to the following complaints:
Back Pain: Pain that increases later in the day and subsides with rest.
Rigidity and Stiffness: Loss of flexibility in the spine.
Quick Fatigue: The excessive exertion of muscles to maintain body balance.
Respiratory Problems: In cases of severe curvature (over 75 degrees), the rib cage may narrow, limiting lung capacity.
Kyphosis Treatment: What Should You Do?
The treatment plan for kyphosis is determined by the patient's age and the degree of curvature.
Exercise and Corset Therapy
If the curvature is between 50-70 degrees and the patient is still growing, we use special braces to guide the spine into the correct position. In addition, exercises that strengthen the back muscles are an essential part of treatment. Remember, strong back muscles are the spine's most natural brace.
Kyphosis Surgery
If the curvature exceeds 75 degrees, if there is severe pain, or if the respiratory/circulatory system is affected, surgical treatment becomes necessary. In kyphosis surgeries (Posterior Instrumentation), we reshape the spine by correcting the curvature with screws and rods. Thanks to modern surgical techniques, our patients walk the day after surgery and return to their social lives in a very short time with a much more “upright” posture and high self-confidence.
Your posture is a reflection of your health. Kyphosis is not just an aesthetic problem; it can be a progressive condition that threatens your spinal health. If you notice persistent hunching in your child or yourself, be sure to consult a spine surgeon to find out whether it is caused by “laziness” or a “structural” reason.
