Kyphosis Essay

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Kyphosis Joshua Giordano Hodges University BSC 2001OL Professor Anna Avola Winter 2012 Abstract Kyphosis is an exaggeration or angulations of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine, giving rise to the condition commonly known as humpback, hunchback, or Pott’s curvature. It may be due to a congenital anomaly, disease, malignancy or compression fracture. Kyphosis also refers to an excessive curvature of the spine with convexity backward, which may result from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, rickets, or other conditions. How this condition will have an overall effect of the homeostasis of the body and how to correct or improve this condition will be explored. Kyphosis There are three main types of abnormal kyphosis: postural kyphosis, Scheuermann's kyphosis, and congenital kyphosis. Kyphosis is an exaggeration or angulations of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine, giving rise to the condition commonly known as humpback, hunchback, or Pott’s curvature. It may be due to a congenital anomaly, disease, malignancy or compression fracture. Kyphosis also refers to an excessive curvature of the spine with convexity backward, which may result from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, rickets, or other conditions. Postural kyphosis is the most common type of kyphosis. This is first noticed in adolescence and is more common in girls than in boys. When the muscles and ligaments of the back are weak this causes poor posture. Postural kyphosis is often slow to develop and the vertebrae are atypical. Muscle fatigue and pain is a common symptom however this type of kyphosis does not lead to a severe curve with a risk of neurologic, cardiac, or pulmonary problems (WebMD, 2008). To the adolescent patient early treatment is vital and if left untreated, the curve progression can lead to significant problems. Routine follow-up is essential

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