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Kyphosis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Kyphosis - curvature of the spine in the sagittal plane by convexity posteriorly.
ICD-10 code
M40. Kyphosis and lordosis.
Congenital kyphosis
Congenital kyphosis is the result of an additional wedge-shaped vertebra, synostosis of two vertebrae, underdevelopment of the anterior part of the vertebral bodies in the thoracic or upper-lumbar spine.
[Symptoms and Diagnosis
Congenital kyphosis is extremely rare, typical localization - thoracic and upper lumbar spine. Deformation is detected early - in the first half of life, as soon as the child begins to sit. With the growth of the child, the deformation significantly increases, flowing painlessly and without neurologic symptoms. By the period of puberty, it reaches a pronounced degree. The child's growth is delayed.
Treatment
When detecting deformation, apply a plaster crib, massage of the back muscles, corrective gymnastics. The tendency to progressive deformation is an indication for surgical fixation of the spine.
Acquired kyphosis
Acquired kyphosis can be the result of rickets, tuberculosis spondylitis, osteochondropathy, compression fractures of vertebral bodies.
Rickets kyphosis
Ricket kyphosis, apparently, is a consequence of general muscle hypotension in severe rickets. Develops quickly as soon as the child starts to sit.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
For rachitic kyphosis, uniform curvature of the inferior thoracic and lumbar spine is evident, but formation of a sharper protruding angle is also possible. Deformation significantly decreases if the child is put on the stomach, or eliminated completely, if you raise the legs and the pelvis of the child up. With this study, deformations do not disappear, the cause of which is congenital kyphosis or tuberculous spondylitis.
For correct orientation in the diagnosis, it is sufficient to estimate other changes in the skeleton: presence of craniotubes, "rachitic beads", thickening of the epiphyses of the extremities, and clinical signs typical of rickets.
Treatment
Complex treatment of rickets is necessary. The unfixed rickety kyphosis is eliminated if the child is laid on an even hard mattress, not allowed to sit. The position on the back alternates with the position on the abdomen. The child is fixed with a special bra to the bed to keep in a horizontal position. With fixed pronounced kyphosis, it is recommended to put the child in a plaster bed with a cross-folded rollers to prevent deformation. The gypsum crib is changed after 1.5-2 months as kyphosis is eliminated. Simultaneously, a massage is prescribed to strengthen the muscles of the back, abdomen, extremities. In most cases, kyphosis disappears with the treatment of rickets. It is extremely rare, in spite of complex anti-cancer treatment, deformation in the form of kyphoscoliosis remains for life.