Violation of posture can cause the development of many diseases that significantly impair the quality of life. Problems with the spine can provoke abnormal functioning of the nervous system. Kyphosis is one of the disorders of posture, which is characterized by the appearance of a hump on the back. It is necessary to treat it, since pathology can provoke a decrease in the volume of the chest, and therefore respiratory problems.
Description of the disease
Kyphosis is a problem that is characterized by a strong curvature of the skeleton, in which a hump appears on the back. Most often, the problem develops in the cervical and thoracic spine, although it can also be diagnosed in the lumbar spine.
Kyphosis is a pathology that is diagnosed if the angle of curvature exceeds 30 degrees. The disease can manifest itself already in adolescence (from 10 to 15 years), although it is often diagnosed in the elderly. It should be noted that girls suffer less from this problem than boys.
Reasons for the development of pathology
Kyphosis is a disease that can be triggered by such factors:
- Systematic and permanent violation of posture (while sitting or standing). Do not constantly bend at the table. Moreover, this rule should be observed from early childhood.
- Stoop, which appears with high growth.
- Weakening of the back muscles, in which they are not able to maintain the normal position of the skeleton.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Pathological development of the vertebral bodies. However, it can be congenital or acquired.
- Polio. This serious childhood illness can leave a child disabled for life.
- Osteoporosis (excessive bone fragility).
- Osteochondrosis.
- Spinal surgery.
- Rickets. This disease causes systemic disorders of the body.
- Injuries to muscles or spinal column.
- Spondylitis (inflammation leading to destruction of the vertebrae).
- Malignant lesions of the skeleton.
- Tuberculosis of bones.
Symptoms of pathology
Thoracic kyphosis of the spine or other types of skeletal lesions can occur as follows:
- Too pronounced humpiness or stoop.
- Increased fatigue, inability to perform lengthy work, being in one position.
- Pain in the area of curvature.
- Inability to exercise even small loads on the back.
- Numbness of the skin of the legs and back, as well as tingling in the limbs.
- Stiffness of movements.
- Kyphosis of the cervical region is characterized by the fact that the patient cannot raise his head up.
Naturally, the presented disease causes an upset in the work of other organs and systems, therefore, it may have additional symptoms:
- Frequent bronchitis and obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Pain in the heart of a aching character.
- Arrhythmia.
- Pneumonia.
- Pain in the right hypochondrium and abdomen.
- Noise in ears.
- Headache.
Diagnostic Features
If you have kyphosis, treatment should be started immediately. Otherwise, the situation will rapidly deteriorate. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose after a thorough examination. The patient has to undergo such studies:
- Visual inspection. First, the doctor will ask you to stand upright to determine how big the hump is. Next you will need to bend down. In this case, the specialist determines the curvature of the skeleton in the lateral projection.
- Roentgenography. It shows the state of the spinal column, although it does not provide complete information about the features of the pathology.
- Computed tomography and MRI. Here, specialists will be able to get all the necessary information about the form and degree of development of the disease, about how badly damaged vertebral bodies.
Based on the data received, the doctor will be able to prescribe adequate treatment.
Types and degrees of development of the disease
It should be noted that the pathology can have a different origin. It is on this basis that the following types of kyphosis are distinguished:
- Paralytic.
- Postoperative.
- Functional.
- Degenerative.
- Rachitic.
- Youthful dorsal.
- Post-traumatic.
- Congenital.
- Age.
The degree of kyphosis must be known in order to prescribe the treatment that will really give a positive effect. There are only four of them:
- First one. It is characterized by the smallest curvature angle, which is 30-40 degrees.
- The second one. Here the degree rises to 40-50 units.
- Third: 50-70 degrees.
- Fourth. It is characterized by the maximum level of curvature, at which the hump is very visible, and the condition of the skeleton is deplorable. The curvature in this case is more than 70 degrees. In this case, traditional treatment methods rarely help. Most often, an operation is performed at this stage, which, unfortunately, cannot always eliminate the consequences of the disease completely.
Features of some types of disease
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to understand the features of the main types of pathology. There are several of them:
- Kyphosis of the cervical spine. Treatment of this pathology is necessary, since without it the patient may have cerebral circulation disturbed. At the same time, blood stasis occurs in the vessels, and this is fraught with thrombosis. Also, the patient develops hypertension, he is limited in head movements, suffers constant pain in the head. The presented type of pathology can develop even in newborns. The reason for this is birth trauma.
- Thoracic kyphosis. He is the most common. However, the diagnosis here must be made correctly. The fact is that the presented disease can be confused with kyphotic posture, which occurs due to weakness of the muscle belt. The back in this case is hunched over, the shoulders are leaning forward, the chest is hollow. In the process of disease progression, the patient develops persistent muscle spasm. Further, a decrease in the volume of the chest may occur, hernias of the vertebral bodies will appear and their deformation.
- Lumbar kyphosis. It usually affects the 2 upper lumbar vertebrae. In this case, the depreciation properties of the skeleton are deteriorating.
Possible complications
If you do not treat the pathology on time, it is fraught with serious consequences. Due to the development of kyphosis can occur:
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Coronary heart disease at an early age.
- Osteochondrosis.
- Urinary incontinence.
- Paralysis or paresis of a limb.
- Secondary meningitis
As you can see, the complications are serious and difficult to treat, so correct posture should be started as soon as possible.
Traditional treatment for the disease
Kyphosis must be fought. In the initial stages of the disease, such conservative methods can help:
- Medications To stop the pain and relieve inflammation, you can use Diclofenac. It will be useful to use chondroprotectors: Teraflex, Chondroitin.
- Physiotherapy. It is performed to partially restore posture. In addition, physical education makes it possible to reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome, tone muscles and ligaments.
- Manual therapy. Massage helps to relax the spinal muscles, relieves pain.
- Physiotherapeutic treatment. This therapy allows you to restore blood circulation, reduces the intensity of pain, relieves fatigue.
- The use of a holding corset. Thanks to this product, the patient has the ability to partially correct posture, align the spine. In addition, the corset reduces pain, as it reduces the load on the back.
Features of surgical intervention
If the patient's spinal curvature progresses , the pain does not go away even when conservative therapy is used, a surgical operation is prescribed. To do this, specialists use special rods that are fixed on the spine and align it. In addition, there is a two-step operation. Its first part involves the removal of vertebrae that have been destroyed or changed their shape and the installation of implants. The skeleton in this case is fixed with a special metal structure. After several years, a second operation is performed. It is necessary to remove the metal frame (if the implant has taken root).
Note that after the operation, the patient will have to undergo a rehabilitation course, which can last quite a long time. At first, it is better to use the services of a professional rehabilitologist. In the future, you can perform the exercises yourself at home.
Preventative measures
In order to avoid the development of back problems, you should follow these recommendations:
- Observe correct posture. If you have sedentary work, try to change your position more often.
- Do not slouch while walking.
- Strengthen your muscle belt with exercise.
- Try to eat foods fortified with vitamins and minerals.
- Avoid spinal injuries or try to treat them on time and to the end.
- If kyphosis has just begun to develop, consult a doctor soon. Treatment in the early stages will provide a positive result.
An approximate set of physical exercises
Exercise with kyphosis helps to strengthen muscles, prevent the rapid progression of pathology. They are performed not only for rehabilitation purposes, but also for prevention. The complex may contain such exercises:
- Straighten your shoulders and tilt your body so that it is held parallel to the floor. Next, straighten up again. Repeat the exercise should be 10-15 times.
- From a supine position, lift your legs (alternately) up. Repeat the action should be 10-15 times with each foot.
- Hanging on the horizontal bar until pain appears is good for posture.
- From a standing position, do torso to the sides. In each direction you need to lean 10-15 times.
- Lie on your stomach. Next, spread your arms to the sides. It is advisable to use light dumbbells. Try to tear your upper body off the floor. Hold this position for a few seconds and lie back on the floor. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
The presented complex is very effective in the fight against kyphosis. It should also be performed to prevent disease. Now you know all the information about a disease such as kyphosis. Forms, causes, signs, symptoms and treatment are covered in the article. Please note that you need to consult a doctor with this pathology. Self-medication and folk methods will not help here. Be healthy!