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Friday, July 11, 2008 DarbyUSMC asks

Q: Is there any research being done regarding genetic dowagers hump "hunchback"?

The reason I ask is this:

 

My father who is 85, his father who is now dead, myself and my three children all have the same problem in different degrees. My grandfather was bent over from my first memory of him which would have been when he was in his 50's. I originally thought he'd been in an accident. My father was round shouldered and is now bent over almost like my grandfather was. I am almost 65 and have severe osteo but attributed it to renal failure etc. however all three of my children, now adults, are round shouldered. I clearly think something is amiss here. Has any research ever been done regarding this apparent inherited disorder? This can't all be a coincidence. We are of Irish decent but have a mix of other ethnic groups. We are all blue eyed blondish people. My father still works. He is hard of hearing as were his two brothers later in life. I am now hard of hearing. My daughter has Lupus. My kidney failure was caused by strep. I have had two broken hips, a broken pelvis, wrist, arm, foot, leg and several spontaneous broken ribs. I have been on dialysis for twenty-one years.

 

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9/10/08 11:44am

This is a great question. While I found some mention of passed Dowager's hump research, there is not much in the way of current research in the specific area of genetic causes. This is not to say it is not being done, however. More often than not the public is not made aware of research until after it is complete. So it is entirely possible that this question is being investigated as we speak!

 

One thing that we do know is that Kyphosis (the technical term for "hunchback") often runs in families. You can read more about it in this overview. That said, you (or your sons) should see a doctor as soon as you notice any abnormalities. Only a doctor can ensure that it is kyphosis and not something else.

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