Kyphosis
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Kyphosis NHS symptoms causes diagnosis treatment
Kyphosis is an exaggerated outward curve of the upper (thoracic) spine, making the upper back look rounded or hunched.
Common types and causes
- Postural kyphosis: common in teenagers; flexible and often related to posture.
- Scheuermann kyphosis: develops during growth when several vertebrae become wedge-shaped; the curve is more rigid.
- Congenital kyphosis: vertebrae do not form normally before birth.
- In adults, it may result from osteoporosis-related vertebral compression fractures, degeneration, injury, infection, or prior spine surgery.
Symptoms
- Rounded upper back or forward head/shoulders
- Back ache, stiffness, fatigue
- In severe cases: impaired balance, difficulty breathing, or nerve symptoms
Diagnosis is generally by physical examination and standing spinal X-rays; MRI is used if nerve compression or another structural cause is suspected. The NHS kyphosis overview notes that mild cases often need no treatment. Management may include physiotherapy and posture/strengthening work, pain treatment, treatment of osteoporosis if present, bracing for selected growing children, and surgery only for severe, progressive, painful, or neurologically threatening deformity.
Seek urgent medical assessment for kyphosis with new leg weakness or numbness, difficulty walking, bowel or bladder changes, fever, unexplained weight loss, or severe pain after a fall.
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