Our spine, even if we talk about its normal condition, is not even. On it, several bends are noted at once, both forward and backward, and they are not pathological, but are characterized as compensating. As for the bulge back, it is called kyphosis. It is located both in the thoracic and sacral zone of the spine. If this bulge is excessive, then it makes sense to talk about a hump on the back.
Why does he appear? How is it possible to identify? What health problems can cause such a bad posture disorder? What methods of treatment and prevention exist today? We will answer these and other questions on the topic further.
How does this happen?
A man with a hump, of course, does not always have such a defect from birth. In most cases, this excessive violation of posture appears for two reasons:
- Curvature of the spine itself.
- Changes in the soft tissue surrounding the spine.
How does spinal curvature develop here? For the most part, it is the result of pathological kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis. Here, the area of the vertebral column is shifted sideways, which is then accompanied by rotation (i.e., rotation) of the vertebrae around its own axis. As a result of this, their spinous parts are displaced and protrude back, forming a hump on their back.
The appearance of such a defect is often caused by both fractures and fractures of the vertebrae. Most often, wedge-shaped deformation of the bodies of several neighboring vertebrae is noted at once. In this case, the front of the vertebra is crumpled, as a result of which its body forms an almost triangular shape. This is a consequence of pathological, traumatic fractures, some diseases of the spine, as well as congenital pathologies of its formation.
A person with a hump does not always suffer precisely from a vertebrogenic defect. A similar hump can create a strong stoop. Excessive kyphosis in the upper thoracic spine disappears here only with certain muscular efforts. Or when taking the horizontal position of the body. This distinguishes a person with a hump (which is permanent) from having a strong stoop (temporary phenomenon).
It is necessary to highlight such a pathology as the hump, which is not connected in any way with vertebral problems and diseases. This defect can develop both with deformation of muscle tissue on the back, and with pathological changes in subcutaneous fat.
Reasons for the condition
Why is the hump growing? We will present the main signs of the formation of a vertebrogenic defect (associated with curvature of the spinal column):
- Neurological diseases and pathologies that can lead to paralysis of the muscles of the body.
- Scheuermann's disease - Mau. Also known as juvenile dorsal kyphosis. Sclerosis of the vertebrae and their subsequent deformation are noted here.
- Violation of posture (ICD-10 lists several diseases of this group). It is diagnosed together with an underdeveloped muscle corset most often in school children.
- A form of osteoporosis that leads to compression pathological fractures. Both age-related and those associated with Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome / disease.
- Spinal tuberculosis leading to destruction of the vertebral bodies.
- Infectious diseases, the consequence of which is the melting of bone tissue.
- Fractures of vertebral bodies in locations of multiple metastases or primary spinal tumors, large-scale hemangiomas.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, which is accompanied by fusion and ossification of the vertebrae.
- The complex form of rickets transferred in childhood, which subsequently led to softening of bone tissue and its subsequent deformation.
- Degenerative-dystrophic pathological changes in the spine, including osteochondrosis.
- Various pathologies, diseases of the connective tissue, which cause a change in the supporting abilities of the paravertebral ligaments.
- Congenital malformations of the vertebrae.
- The consequences of various spinal injuries.
A person with a hump could find this defect both for one of the listed reasons, and with their combination. But this is not all the reasons for the formation of the hump.
Specific reasons
Violation of posture (in ICD-10 it is indicated by codes M40-M43) or other problems associated with the spine - these are not the only factors in the formation of a hump. Consider other, not so rare:
- Inflammatory or degenerative changes in muscle tissue. Their cause is in repeated, systematic microtrauma. The latter often arise with irrational, excessive physical exertion. This condition is called myogelosis. And it becomes the cause of the formation of a hump slightly less than deformation of the thoracic spine. Strangely enough, people leading an active lifestyle, bodybuilders and professional athletes, suffer from such a problem.
- The appearance of a number of benign neoplasms in the cervicothoracic region of the spine. In particular, the appearance of large atheroma or growing lipoma.
- Among people with a hump on their back, women of pre- and post-menopausal age are often found. Why? Due to the decrease in the production of female sex hormones, redistribution and change in the state of subcutaneous fat occurs. As a result of this, a rather dense fatty roller forms in the region of the 7th cervical vertebra. Interestingly, he used to be called the widow. This is due to the fact that it appeared in women of advanced age (often by this time the spouse was already dying).
What problems is this fraught with?
Even in the modern world, hunchbacked people are becoming the object of increased attention, and even discussions, ridicule. What turns into moral suffering for the patient himself. But in addition to the suppressed emotional state, this defect is fraught with serious physical health problems:
- The progressive curvature of the spine in the cervical region leads to the deformation of the chest in general. And this is the reason for compression of the mediastinum, a decrease in lung volume. May lead to a violation of cardiac activity.
- In hunchbacks, endurance is reduced. A tendency to bronchial, pulmonary diseases is also noted, since deformation infringes, squeezes them.
- Changing the normal distance between the vertebrae causes compression (or compression) of the spinal canals. In addition, narrowing of the spinal canal can lead to compression of the spinal cord. This is fraught with chronic pain, impaired sensitivity in the lower half of the body, weakness, and even muscle paralysis.
- In the case when the deformity of the cervical spine occurs (or when various compressive formations such as lipomas or atheromas appear in this area), the patency of important vertebral arteries may be impaired. This is the name of the paired vessel, which goes up in a special channel between the vertebrae. Its main purpose is to supply blood to the posterior parts of the brain. When squeezing these arteries, the patient may suffer from headaches, dizziness, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms.
What do we have to do?
First of all, we note that there is no such disease - a "hump on the back." It can be both deformation of the spine, and a change in muscle tissue, a neoplasm. And all this is a consequence of certain conditions, diseases, pathologies, and not an independent disease.
If you find suspicious seals on your back, you can feel strong changes, curvature of the spine, in no case can you ignore the problem or self-medicate. You need to determine the cause of this condition, which will help to deal with the consequence.
First of all, you need to contact one of these specialists:
- Therapist.
- Surgeon.
- Orthopedist.
- Vertebrologist.
- Neurologist.
You will either be referred immediately to a diagnostic examination, or referred to a specialist who treats your particular problem. Especially you can not hesitate if you find a hump on the back in children!
Diagnostic measures
The first type of diagnosis, of course, will be a visual examination of the patient. But to understand whether scoliosis is a hump on the back or from another reason, only the following examinations will help:
- Computed tomography, x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging. These are the second priority diagnostic measures. In most cases, they clarify the clinical picture. If not, the following examinations are scheduled.
- Biopsy, puncture, scintigraphy or EMG.
- Laboratory studies to determine the state of the hormonal background, mineral metabolism in the body, as well as general indicators of the presence of inflammation and various rheumatoid factors.
Therapeutic measures
Is it possible to remove the hump on the back? It is impossible to give a definite answer to such a question. It depends on many factors at once - the nature, the reasons for the formation of this defect, the stage of the disease, aggravating the patient’s condition, individual characteristics of the body. However, in any case, the patient must undergo comprehensive treatment. It is divided into two directions:
- Symptomatic events. Elimination of pain, a decrease in the severity of symptoms that torment a person.
- Treatment of the underlying disease that caused the formation of a hump.
With only prescribed medications, of course, in most cases it will not be possible to eliminate the formation. If this is an excessive curvature of the spine, then it is impossible to eliminate it without changing the position and correcting the shape of the deformed vertebrae. Medicines, physiotherapy, gymnastic exercises can not provide this.
As for children and adolescents, it is easier to remove the hump on the back than in adults. In the event that the defect is caused by kyphosis and so far is not accompanied by a displacement of the vertebrae, systematic therapeutic intensive gymnastics is prescribed. It not only corrects posture, but also helps to strengthen the muscle corset. This over time allows you to correct excessively curved posture.
Surgical intervention
In certain cases, an operation cannot be dispensed with:
- Severe and progressive curvature of the spinal column.
- Intense persistent pain syndrome tormenting the patient.
- The presence of signs of compression of the spinal cord.
- The cause of the hump, not associated with the curvature of the spine, is atheroma and lipoma.
Drug treatment
Once again, we note that in most cases it is impossible to eliminate the hump by taking medications alone. Especially if its appearance is caused by curvature of the spine. But the role of drugs in treatment should also not be underestimated. They help to cope with inflammation, pain, reduce the severity of various neurological disorders. Medications can stabilize the patient's condition, stop the progression of the disease.
The appointment of certain funds is based on the causes of pain experienced by the patient:
- Muscle-tonic syndrome.
- Infringement of the roots of nerves.
- Active inflammatory process affecting the spine.
- Compression fracture of the vertebral bodies.
Depending on this, the following drugs may be prescribed:
- Nonsteroidal painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Trophic and vascular preparations.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Vitamins of group B.
- Corticosteroids.
If an infectious lesion of the spine was detected, then antibacterial agents are additionally prescribed. With tuberculosis of the spine, the treatment is additionally supervised by a TB doctor, special medications are prescribed. In the presence of purulent acute processes, one drug treatment will not be enough - urgent surgical intervention is required.
The most serious treatment is prescribed when a pathological fracture of the spinal column is detected. Here the hormonal background in the patient’s body, mineral metabolism is necessarily corrected.
In the case when the fracture is caused by malignant tumors or their metastases, chemotherapy is definitely prescribed. The patient is also observed by an oncologist.
Problem prevention
Since there are a lot of reasons for the formation of a hump, you can not talk about general preventive tips. Even physical education, an active lifestyle in one condition can be beneficial, and in another it can be harmful and contribute to a more active hump formation.
Here are some tips that doctors give as a prevention of this problem:
- Do not ignore any unpleasant, incomprehensible symptom in the back, spine - systematic pains of a different nature, a feeling of heaviness, burning, etc. Be sure to consult a specialist!
- As for children and adolescents, it is necessary to convey to them how important it is to control posture, to sit properly at the table during lessons and at home. Scoliosis and a hump on the back are cause and effect. If there are no serious contraindications, the child needs to be introduced to active life, sports, morning exercises that help to train the muscle corset, and correct posture.
- In women of retirement age, a semblance of a hump is often formed due to the fat layer. This is a hormonal formation. Therefore, a woman should not miss preventive examinations from a gynecologist, endocrinologist, listen to the advice of specialists.
- As for all people in old age, as a result of a sedentary lifestyle, they may form salt deposits on the back, mistaken for a hump. Refer to periodic walks, Nordic walking, skiing, therapeutic exercises to the best of your ability so as not to run into a problem.
- If you are actively, professionally involved in sports, visit the gym, act according to the individual program drawn up by the trainer. Do not expose yourself to excessive loads that lead to myogelosis. Including the dangerous formation of a hump.
- The problem may haunt patients with osteochondrosis. For its prevention, you should choose an orthopedic mattress and pillow, take a course of therapeutic massage several times a year.
The hump on the back is not a disease. This is a consequence of a wide variety of diseases and conditions with which we met. Accordingly, treatment, prevention for each of them will be specific.