The modern lifestyle of most people leads to serious problems with the spine. Most often, the case ends with a curvature, which provokes the appearance of a hump. In medicine, postural deformation is called kyphosis of the spine. It is both congenital and acquired. The disease occurs in people of different ages and sexes, however, the greatest number of such cases was recorded in boys from eleven to sixteen years old. It is worth noting that the treatment is quite long and laborious. But if you follow all the recommendations of doctors, you will significantly reduce the time of recovery and will be able to solve this difficult problem in a short time.
A bit of anatomy
Before considering in more detail the phenomenon of kyphosis of the spine, it is necessary to first understand its structure. The human ridge consists of five sections and more than thirty vertebrae. The first seven are considered the most delicate and fragile, they form the cervical spine. Then there are twelve vertebrae, which are part of the thoracic spine - they are already more massive and strong.
The next five form the lower back - even larger parts. The next five vertebrae belong to the sacral section, they often fuse together, forming one monolithic bone. At the end of the spine are coccygeal parts, from two to five in number, they also merge and form the coccyx.
All vertebrae make up the pillar in which the spinal cord is located. It is difficult to overestimate its importance in the human body. It is the spinal cord that is "expensive" from the brain to the organs. All nerve impulses and reflexes are transmitted in this way. In everyday life, it looks, for example, as pulling off a hand during a burn.
The column has natural bends of the spine. If their number exceeds the maximum allowable, kyphosis is formed. The disease is characteristic of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions.
What causes the pathology?
Kyphosis of the spine in the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) has the code M40. The disease belongs to the category of additional dorsopathies, that is, problems associated with back pain and the development of pathologies. The basis for the appearance of the disease in question is a huge number of factors. Bending of the spine can be caused by both physiological causes and the consequence of serious diseases. Only a qualified doctor after a comprehensive examination can determine the specific cause of the disease.
Specialists in the field of medicine identify several main reasons:
- constant stoop;
- intrauterine development problems;
- muscle weakness, which appears due to the lack of sufficient physical exertion (however, the main thing here is not to overdo it - you can also not overstrain the spine);
- injuries, osteochondrosis, tumors.
Kyphosis stages
In modern medicine, three degrees of kyphosis of the spine are distinguished. Each of them has its own characteristics, as a result of which doctors use certain methods of treatment. But there is one common symptom that unites all these stages - stoop, which over time develops into a pronounced hump.
So, we will consider each of them in more detail:
- The first degree is characterized mainly by stoop. In fact, there are practically no internal changes; in such a situation, a regular therapeutic massage will help correct the situation.
- In the presence of pathology of the second degree, the hump begins to form in the patient. The deformation is already noticeable even with the naked eye, because the neoplasm can be seen under the clothes. Due to the appearance of a hump, a person feels discomfort, the inability to be in the same position for a long time. The most severe changes are undergoing the chest, as a result there are problems with the lungs and heart.
- The third degree is characterized by the risk of disability with kyphosis of the spine. All internal organs of a person suffer, the membranes of the spinal cord become thinner when moving, the general condition of the patient leaves much to be desired. In such a situation, it is impossible to straighten out, the curved shape of the spine will be unchanged.
Classification
As already noted, two main forms of spinal deformity are distinguished: pathological and physiological. In the first case, there is a separation into congenital and acquired kyphosis, depending on the severity. If we talk about numbers, then with a pathological disease, the angle of inclination is equal to more than thirty degrees. The maximum value in this case is eighty degrees. Physiological kyphosis is determined by the angle of inclination in the range from fifteen to thirty degrees.
In addition, there is also a separation by type of manifestation of the disease. The first option is characterized by the fact of abnormal development of the vertebrae. In the presence of the second type of kyphosis, the vertebral bodies undergo abnormal segmentation. As for the third type, it is mixed and manifests itself in a combination of the above anomalies.
Types of pathology
You can notice that this disease is divided into a huge number of different types, depending on the criterion for consideration. So, there are several main types of kyphosis:
- Congenital. The cause of its appearance are abnormalities of the intrauterine development. Quite often, cases of incomplete formation of the spinal column or abnormal development of the vertebrae are recorded. In such a situation, paralysis of the lower body is sometimes diagnosed, especially if there has been a traumatic injury.
- Genotypic. In other words, a hereditary form of kyphosis. The disease is observed in several generations, the transmission of pathology occurs in a dominant manner.
- Compression. When several vertebrae break down, it makes sense to talk about this form of the disease. This type of spinal kyphosis is characterized by a decrease in the height of the spinal sections from the front.
- Mobile. This species is caused by the presence of myasthenia gravis. However, this is not the only reason kyphosis develops with a person being in the wrong position for a long time. If we talk about treatment, then an excellent solution would be to use passive techniques.
- Senile. Everyone knows that over the years there is a deformation of the internal organs, and the spine was no exception. Age-related changes, coupled with muscle weakness, give just such a result.
- Tuberculous. It would seem where is the connection? However, the presence of tuberculosis leads to the fact that compression of the vertebral bodies is combined with their destruction, and this will certainly affect the bends of the spine.
- Posture. It is easy to guess that the main reason in this case is the presence of weak posture. Often, such a diagnosis is made to adolescents, as well as adults under the age of thirty. If the patient has poor posture, then a noticeable lean forward is evident. This is due to the constant curvature of the spine, stoop, and, regardless of what position the person is in, weak posture is hard to miss.
- Kyephosis Scheuermann-Mau. When the vertebrae change shape, we are talking about pathological deformation, possibly a complication in the form of kyphosis. Unambiguous reasons in modern medicine have not yet been identified, but many are inclined to a genetic predisposition. As a result of changes, the vertebrae become wedge-shaped, and at the same time their front part narrows.
Signs of the disease
A key symptom of kyphosis of the spine is stoop. How to determine the disease yourself? If the angle of inclination exceeds the figure of forty-five degrees, there is no doubt: we are talking about the pathology under consideration. The disease can be localized in different parts of the body, however, according to statistics, violations are most often found in the chest area.
To accurately determine kyphosis, it is worth paying attention to the following signs:
- severe persistent pain in the back and neck;
- weakness in the legs and arms, numbness of the limbs;
- persistent headaches and dizziness;
- stool disorders (mainly constipation), problems with urination, muscle cramps.
An attentive person can recognize the disease visually. In patients, the shoulders are almost always lowered, and the shoulder blades are divorced to the sides. The rib cage flows in and noticeably narrows, and the upper body, in turn, leans forward. In addition, in people with kyphosis, flat buttocks and a protruding stomach are visually noticeable. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, complications associated with internal organs may develop.
Kyphosis of the cervical spine
It should be noted that in this part of the body in most cases lordosis occurs, that is, concavity forward. Kyphosis, meaning concave back, is extremely rare. Therefore, for doctors this concept is a bit unusual, because there are very few such cases. However, kyphosis of the cervical spine is accompanied by serious clinical signs. If children have such a problem, it makes sense to consider the presence of a congenital type of disease.
In most cases, a concave back in the cervical spine directly indicates a circulatory disturbance due to spinal deformity. In this case, there is a squeezing of its various elements. Symptoms include oxygen deficiency and inadequate blood supply. In addition, a person's blood pressure changes, a hump forms and the upper limbs go numb.
Breast kyphosis
Unlike the previous type of kyphosis, chest curvature is much more common. In general, a slight bulge is natural, but if it is too pronounced, there is reason to assume the presence of a pathological disease. It is worth noting that, in addition to external changes, the disease will lead to a general deformation of the spine.
Speaking about the reasons, it is impossible not to note osteochondrosis, poor posture, injuries, congenital pathologies. Also, a violation can occur as a result of poor-quality surgical intervention. In some particularly severe cases, a combination of kyphosis and lordosis of the spine is observed. External symptoms of the pathology: the angle of the pelvis over sixty degrees, the stomach protruding forward and the flat chest.
The problem also occurs in children on bed rest. These babies have weakened abdominal muscles and a narrow chest. One of the most effective methods of therapy is therapeutic massage for kyphosis of the thoracic spine. This procedure is best entrusted to a professional.
Lumbar
This type of pathology is slightly less common than thoracic. The main reason is poor-quality surgical intervention. Usually one or two lumbar vertebrae are affected, and this is already enough for the development of kyphosis. An example of an unsuccessful operation is laminectomy, when they try to ease the pressure on the spinal cord. During the intervention, bone plates are removed, which has a negative effect on the vertebrae. As a result, there is an inclination forward.
Among the most dangerous types of curvature, steady kyphosis of the lumbar spine stands apart. The fact is that with this pathology, the lower back is rounded, which leads to a complete absence of natural deflection of the column. The patient suffers greatly, the back loses elasticity, and the bend of the spine disappears altogether. In the presence of such a disease, it is strictly forbidden to run and jump. Therefore, it is impossible to bring the situation to such a neglected degree; it is better to do treatment in a timely manner.
Diagnostics
How to fix spinal kyphosis? To answer this question, you first need to talk about diagnostic measures. As already noted, the disease is best eliminated as soon as possible, and for this you need to make an appointment with a specialist. Many people do not even guess which doctor deals with such problems. It is best to consult one of the following doctors: a neurologist, chiropractor, and orthopedist.
In most cases, specialists of this kind quickly identify the pathology and the cause of its occurrence. The first appointment with a doctor begins with an examination of the patient and an anamnesis. After that, the doctor gropes for the painful area and presses on this area to check the sensitivity. Then the specialist already has the first assumptions. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe several additional studies to confirm the diagnosis. Spine radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance therapy are often used.
Drug therapy
Treatment of spinal kyphosis with medications is also a common occurrence. You just need to understand that taking the drugs is aimed at alleviating the symptoms, improving blood circulation and conducting impulses. In most cases, the general condition of the patient becomes noticeably better, back muscles become stronger, and bouts of pain disappear. But the question remains: how can one correct the spinal kyphosis? This is the next step when correcting the position of the spine by strengthening the back muscles
Doctors like to prescribe glucocorticoids, which relieve pain, but they have a negative effect on the immune system. Well-established way of setting blockades. It is an injection of an anesthetic in the affected area. Most often, lidocaine and novocaine are used.
Muscle formation
Proper development of the back muscles leads to alignment, which greatly improves the prognosis for recovery. The use of corsets with kyphosis of the spine greatly helps. You need to wear them correctly with a certain break - the only way to achieve good results. Formative elements are designed to support posture, regardless of the circumstances. Corsets come in varying degrees of rigidity. Here you can see the pattern: the more difficult it is to wear it, the higher the therapeutic effect.
Physical therapy, physiotherapy and massage will also be helpful. A good way to correct your posture is to use self-control while sitting and sleeping. Exercises for kyphosis of the spine are aimed mainly at increasing muscle mass. Therapeutic physical education, coupled with antispasmodic drugs gives an almost one hundred percent result. If possible, massage can be added to complex therapy. The purpose of this procedure is the processing of certain areas, with which you can stretch the vertebrae in the right direction.
The effect of the corset is due to several factors at once: maintaining posture, deformation of the spinal column and muscle tension. The more intense this impact, the faster you will see the result. Adults with kyphosis can be advised to be treated using the above methods, because the muscles are already pretty weak to independently change the shape of the spine.
Surgery and post traction
The main goal of the operation is to correct the shape of the damaged vertebrae. However, surgical intervention is extremely rare when other methods are ineffective. Also, if the vertebra is already severely deformed, you can not do without surgery.
Traction of the spinal column is carried out using special apparatuses that slowly stretch the human ridge. If everything is done correctly, you can count on a positive result in a short time. But there is also a flip side - the consequences are rather painful, because sprain is not the most pleasant procedure.
In any case, only a qualified specialist can correct the curvature of the spine. It is contraindicated to self-medicate and use folk remedies. These methods in most cases only exacerbate the situation. Better follow the doctor's recommendations, and then the chance of a full recovery will significantly increase.