| | | | | thorax, near the bottom of the rib cage. In these |
| Scheuermann’s Disease Of The Thoracic And | | | | patients, back pain is the overriding problem. This |
| Lumbar Spine | | | | happens most often to young, active males. Doctors |
| The section of spine from below the neck to the | | | | suspect this unique form of the disease occurs |
| bottom of the rib cage is called the thoracic spine. | | | | because the condition is overlooked during childhood, |
| From the side, the thoracic spine appears slightly | | | | delaying treatment. |
| rounded. Its shape is like the letter C with the | | | | |
| opening facing the front of the body. This normal | | | | Diagnosis |
| curve is called kyphosis. With excessive kyphosis, the | | | | Doctors start with a complete history and physical |
| thoracic spine takes on a hunchbacked appearance. | | | | examination. However, X-rays are the main way to |
| Scheuermann's disease (also called Scheuermann's | | | | diagnose Scheuermann's kyphosis. Taken from the |
| kyphosis) is a condition that starts in childhood. It | | | | side, an X-ray may show vertebral wedging, |
| affects less than one percent of the population and | | | | Schmorl's nodes, and changes in the vertebral end |
| occurs mostly in children by the age of 11. It affects | | | | plates. Doctors use X-ray images to measure the |
| boys and girls equally... | | | | angle of kyphosis. Doctors diagnose Scheuermann's |
| | | | | disease when three vertebrae in a row wedge five |
| What parts of the spine are involved ? | | | | degrees or more and when the kyphosis angle is |
| A healthy human spine has three gradual curves. | | | | greater than 45 degrees. |
| From the side, the neck and low back curve gently | | | | |
| inward. This is called lordosis. The thoracic kyphosis | | | | What treatment options are available ? |
| (outward curve) gives the mid back its slightly | | | | Nonsurgical Treatment |
| rounded appearance. These normal curves help the | | | | A child or youth with mild kyphosis may simply need |
| spine absorb forces from gravity and daily activities, | | | | to be observed. Unless the curve or pain becomes |
| such as lifting. | | | | worse, no other treatment may be needed. Some |
| The angle of normal kyphosis in the thoracic spine | | | | children who don't require treatment eventually |
| varies. During the growth years of adolescence, a | | | | improve and have no long-term problems. Others |
| normal curve measures between 25 and 40 degrees. | | | | may always have a mild thoracic kyphosis but are |
| If the curve angles more than 40 degrees, doctors | | | | able to function normally without pain or other |
| consider the kyphosis a deformity. In general, | | | | problems... |
| kyphosis tends to be more exaggerated in girls. The | | | | |
| angle increases slightly throughout life both in women | | | | Surgery |
| and men. Scheuermann's disease causes the thoracic | | | | Surgeons rarely recommend surgery for |
| kyphosis to angle too far (more than 45 degrees)... | | | | Scheuermann's disease. Certain situations may require |
| | | | | it, however. For example, surgery may be needed if |
| Causes | | | | pain becomes severe and doesn't go away with |
| Famed for discovering this disease, Scheuermann | | | | nonoperative treatment. Patients whose skeletons |
| himself thought a lack of blood to the cartilage | | | | are done growing may require surgery. Patients with |
| around the vertebral body caused the wedging. | | | | a rigid kyphosis that angles more than 75 degrees |
| Though scientists have since disproved this theory, | | | | may also need surgery... |
| the root cause of the disease is still unknown. | | | | |
| | | | | Please log on to : |
| Other theories of how Scheuermann's kyphosis | | | | Send your query : Get a Quote |
| starts include : - | | | | |
| - Genetics ... | | | | We Care Core Values |
| - Childhood osteoporosis ... | | | | We have a very simple business model that keeps |
| - Mechanical reasons ... | | | | you as the centre. |
| | | | | Having the industry’s most elaborate and |
| Symptoms | | | | exclusive Patient Care and Clinical Coordination teams |
| Hunched posture in children usually alerts parents or | | | | stationed at each partner hospital, we provide you |
| teachers to the need for a doctor visit. Children don't | | | | the smoothest and seamless care ever imagined. |
| typically complain of back pain or other symptoms. | | | | With a ratio of one Patient Care Manager to five |
| This is not the case in adolescents who are nearing | | | | patients our patient care standards are unmatched |
| puberty and have kyphosis in the lowest part of the | | | | across the sub continent. |