Kyphosis

Diagnosis

To diagnose kyphosis, your healthcare professional typically starts with a physical exam. You may be asked to bend forward at the waist so your spine can be seen from the side. You also may have a neurological exam to check your reflexes and muscle strength.

Your healthcare professional may order one or more of the following tests:

• X-rays. X-rays show the amount of spinal curvature and can reveal changes in the vertebrae.
• CT scan. A CT scan may be used if more detailed images are needed.
• MRI. An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to look for recent fractures in the spine.
• Nerve tests. If you have numbness or muscle weakness, nerve tests check how well signals travel between your spinal cord and the rest of your body.
• Bone density test. This test checks bone strength. Low bone density raises the risk of compression fractures and often can be treated with medicine.

Treatment

Treatment for kyphosis depends on the cause and how severe the condition is.

Medicines

Kyphosis treatment may include:

• Pain relievers. If medicines available without a prescription — such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) — aren't enough to manage pain, your healthcare professional may prescribe stronger pain medicine.
• Osteoporosis medicines. Some medicines can help strengthen the spinal bones and lower the risk of future fractures that could make kyphosis worse.

Therapy

Some types of kyphosis may improve with:

• Exercises. Stretching and strengthening exercises may improve spinal flexibility and relieve back pain.
• Bracing. Children who have Scheuermann disease may wear a back brace during periods of rapid growth to help slow the worsening of the curve.

Surgical and other procedures

Severe kyphosis can cause serious symptoms. In rare cases, the spinal curve can press on the spinal cord or nerves. This is more likely with kyphosis present at birth or kyphosis that develops after spine surgery.

You may need surgery to correct severe kyphosis. The most common surgery is spinal fusion. In this procedure, the surgeon uses rods and screws to hold the spinal bones in a straighter position while they fuse together.

Compression fractures typically are treated without surgery.

Preparing for your appointment

You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating spine conditions.

What you can do

• Ask if there are any instructions to follow before your appointment, such as changes to your diet.
• Write down your symptoms, even those that may not seem related to why you made the appointment.
• Make a list of all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take.
• Write down your medical history, including other health conditions.
• Note important personal information, such as recent life changes or stress.
• Prepare a list of questions for your healthcare team.
• Consider bringing a family member or friend to help you remember the information you get.

Questions to ask your doctor

• What tests do I need? Do I need to prepare for them?
• Will I need treatment? What are my options, and what are the risks and benefits of each?
• I have other health conditions. How can I manage them along with kyphosis?

You also can ask any other questions that come up during your visit.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional will likely ask several questions. Being ready to answer them can help make the most of your appointment. You may be asked:

• When did your symptoms start, and how bad are they?
• Do your symptoms happen all the time or only sometimes?
• What makes your symptoms better or worse?