Kyphosis is a curving of the spine that causes a bowing of the back, which leads to a hunchback or slouching posture.
Alternative Names
Scheuermann's disease; Roundback; Hunchback; Postural kyphosis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Kyphosis is a spinal deformity. It can be caused by:
- Degenerative disease (such as
arthritis ) - Developmental problems
- Trauma
Kyphosis can occur at any age, although it is rare at birth.
Adolescent kyphosis, also known as Scheuermann's disease, is caused by the wedging together of several bones of the spine (vertebrae) in a row. The cause of Scheuermann's disease is unknown.
In adults, kyphosis can be a result of:
- Fractures caused by
osteoporosis (osteoporotic compression fractures) - Slipping of one vertebra forward on another (
spondylolisthesis )
Other causes of kyphosis include:
- Certain
endocrine diseases - Connective tissue disorders
- Disk degeneration
- Infection (such as
tuberculosis ) -
Muscular dystrophy -
Neurofibromatosis -
Paget's disease -
Polio -
Spina bifida - Tumors
Kyphosis can also be seen with
