Scheurmanns Kyphosis

Scheurmanns Kyphosis is a condition that involves growth plate abnormalities in the growing vertebra of the spine. It is first noticed in the teenage years and occurs in both boys and girls. What parents notice most is a slumping or slouching posture. It is very common for parents to remind their teens to stand up straight and "stop slouching." Pain, when present, can occur in any area of the back that is involved with these growth plate abnormalities. The most common site is in the upper back or thoracic spine. Pain in this case can occur between the shoulder blades as it relates to the slumping or slouching-forward spine, or it can occur in the low back where the spine has to arch excessively to compensate for the humped-forward section above it.

While the spine is still growing, scheurmanns kyphosis can be treated with a modified Milwaukee type brace. This is a brace that takes stress off the front of the spine allowing the growth centers to grow more normally. The typical trapezoid shape vertebra of scheurmanns kyphosis can evolve into more square-shaped vertebra with braceware. If the teenage growth spurt is already complete, bracing is no longer an option. For treating adults with scheurmanns kyphosis, a brace won't help.

For severe cases, where posture and spinal balance are of concern, and in cases of significant back pain, surgical correction may be indicated.

Current techniques for the typical kyphosis occurring in the upper back involves surgery in two parts. The first part surgery is a thoracoscopic release and removal of multiple discs through the area bent forward. The discs are then replaced with bone grafts usually from the bone bank. The scars from this surgery are betw 4-6, 1-2 inch scars on the side of the chest, beneath the right arm. Cosmetically they are typically quite acceptable.

The second part fo the surgery involves an incision in the back part of the spine where rods, hooks and screws are inserted in the back part of the spine. The slumping forward posture is gently and slowly corrected. The newest techniques involve multi-planar adjusting spinal screws (Medtronic) which allows for very controlled, gradual and incremental correction of the kyphosis in a manner that is safe and highly effective.