Kyphosis

Scoliosis is a spinal deformity which affects more than four million people in the United States alone. Scoliosis causes the spine to rotate and curve. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a type of scoliosis with no known cause found in people over the age of ten. When patients reach skeletal maturity, they have instead idiopathic scoliosis as they are no longer adolescent. As adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has no known cause, it is the most scientifically important type. Without knowing a cause, doctors cannot be expected to know how to prevent it and to cure it without correctional surgery. Possible causes for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, treatment options, and the effects AIS has on patients will be discussed. Causes for some types of scoliosis include congenital changes, neuropathic or myopathic changes, or degenerative spondylitis. The cause of most types of scoliosis is unknown and therefore patients are diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis (Asher & Burton, 2006). Researchers have been theorizing possible causes for AIS. Machida (1999) found that platelet calmodulin in patients that are skeletally immature with progressive curves are higher than patients with stable curves. Another theory is melatonin levels. Adolescent patients with progressive curves have lower melatonin levels at night than those of their counterparts with stable curves. Machida also states that there may a genetic factor as well, which is shown in patients that are twins with similar curve…

Kyphosis, also known as a round back or hunchback, is a condition in which the spine in the upper back has an excessive curvature. Kyphosis can occur at any age, it's most common in older women, it often occurs after osteoporosis (weakens bones) weakens spinal bones to the point that they crack and compress kyphosis are seen in infants or teens due to malformation of the spine or wedging of the spinal bones over time. Kyphosis occurs when the vertebrae in the upper back become more wedge-shaped.…

The patient has a sitting posture with a posterior pelvic tilt. He has an excessive thoracic kyphosis in sitting and no lumbar lordosis. He sits with his knee extended on the left side, and his ankles inverted with weight resting on the distal to the lateral malleolus on his right foot. On the left foot, his weight is distributed mainly on his calcaneus. The standing posture consisted of a forward head posture with an increased thoracic kyphosis. The patient spent most of his time on the…

Vertebral Compression Fracture (Lumbar) Overview- The vertebral compression fracture occurs when the vertebrae fracture or collapse, not necessarily a result of an evident trauma. Vertebral fractures, the vertebral body are typically compressed in a wedge shape (more evident in lateral projection to the x-ray) due to the normal kyphosis of the thoracic region, which focuses the forces before. In the lumbar vertebral fractures, the vertebral body is generally flattened, sometimes rotated…

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), or Bechterew’s disease, is an inflammatory disease that can cause the vertebrae in the spine to fuse together. The fusing that takes place will make the spine less flexible and can lead to a curvature of the spine culminating in a stood posture. This disease predominantly affects males in their teens 20s, and is less common in women. Early signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis may include pain and stiffness in the neck, lower back, and hips. These signs and…

has very few limitations that contribute to the aging process that hinder his participation in life’s activities. Due to H.W.’s progressive cervical kyphosis he is restricted in over the head activities. His balance and reaction time are also affected by his posture. This has potential to be a safety issue because H.W. lives alone. The OTPF reflects these limitations in terms of body structures and functions that may contribute to H.W.’s limitations. They are as follows: visual and vestibular…

The pain symptoms can range from minor tenderness to unbearable pain. One of the most noticeable symptoms of osteoporosis is a “stooped back”. A “stooped back” is created from fractures in the spine resulting in the loss of height. The “stooped back" is known as kyphosis or dowager’s hump. Kyphosis can cause back and neck pain and even affect breathing due to extra pressure on the airway. Osteoporosis is caused by many factors, some of which are under our control and some that aren’t. As we…

This patient has Marfan syndrome. This condition arises from an autosomal dominant mutation in the gene for the fibrillin-1 protein. Patients with Marfan syndrome are generally of tall stature with long limbs. Their joints are hypermobile, which can be assessed by asking patients to extend their elbows and observing hyperextension. Hypermobility at the wrists is observed by asking the patient to touch the volar or anterior surface of the forearm with their fingers. Through hyperflexion of the…

In the United States, everyone is very fortunate whether they know so or not. Many things, such as drinkable water, are taken for granted. Recently in many poor countries in Asia and Africa chronic fluorosis is sweeping over their nations. Chronic fluorosis is a disease that affects teeth, bones and organs due to ingesting fluoride. In the article, Chronic Fluorosis: The disease and its anesthetic implications, this disease has been proven that it has become a pressing issue that has damaging…

the quality of life for the patient. A minimally invasive surgery can be termed as an endoscopic procedure that utilizes specialized cameras and instruments which can be introduced into the body through small incisions (usually less than 2 cm). As far as spinal surgeries are concerned, these incisions are typically made in the in the back, abdomen, or chest. Endoscopic approach in terms of techniques has been around for decades but these techniques were predominantly used for diagnostics. Late…