Kyphosis treatment facts

Kyphosis

The following text will focus on the medical problem called kyphosis and the possible treatment options, such as surgery, exercises, medications and bracing. This is a problem associated with the spine that suffers from abnormalities that make the spine curve outwards and this causes humped back. There are several other names used for this problem, such as postural kyphosis, Schueuermann's disease, hunchback, and few others. Many factors contribute to the creation of this problem that often causes breathing hindrance and weight loss. Some of the possible causes are benign tumors, cancer, infections, tuberculosis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, polio connective tissue disorders, skin degenerative arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis and other conditions. The cause of the problem determines the type of the treatment that will be the most effective. But the most common practice involves the use of surgery, physical therapy, medications and braces.

Treatment

If braces are used, the problem is of moderate or mild severity, and this kind of the treatment is usually performed in cases of teenagers. The aggravation of the problem can be prevented if braces are used properly and regularly. They can reduce the curve to some extent, but while they are worn, strenuous work and playing sports cannot be done. The next option is the use of medications, and the use of some painkillers, such as Advil, Aleve, some other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or acetaminophen,is the first step. These are milder medications, but if they do not give results, stronger ones will be used. If stronger medications need to be used, the cause of the problem may be a tumor, and in this situation, chemotherapy drugs will be given by the doctor.

Exercises may also be needed to reduce the symptoms and they will be given by a professional. The physical therapist will teach you several exercises that need to be done properly along with the same number of repetitions given by the professional. Surgery is the last option, suggested only if others have proved ineffective. It is done if extreme or neurological deformity is present, or if sharp pain is a result of a cancer. This treatment method involves the use of fusion and attachment of certain instruments to the spine. During the procedure, the connection between the two vertebrae is made with the pelvic bone and this corrects the deformity and makes the spine stabilized, eliminating the chances of reoccurrence of the problem. The use of wires, screws, hooks and rods will also be needed to give the spine a good support. Also, some complications, like disk degeneration, bleeding, nerve damage and infection are a possibility. Know that the surgery may need to be repeated if some of these complication starts to appear and reappear, and that proper and healthy diet will also have to be necessary during this period.