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The main symptom of kyphosis is a hunched or rounded upper back. Sometimes your shoulders may also look rounded.
You may not have any other symptoms if the top part of your spine is only slightly curved. If the curve is more noticeable or gets worse, it can cause back pain and stiffness.
If you have a severe curve in your spine, it can cause more serious problems, such as very bad back pain and difficulty breathing.
A GP may refer you to a specialist (orthopaedic surgeon) who will do some tests for kyphosis.
The specialist may examine your back while you’re bent forwards to see how severe the curve in your spine is and how flexible you are. They may also check your arms and legs.
You may have an X-ray and an MRI scan to look at your spine in more detail.
Kyphosis is often caused by bad posture or a problem with the structure of your spine.
It can also sometimes happen after a spinal injury or as a result of conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis.
There are 3 main types of kyphosis. Do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you’re worried.
| Type | Cause |
|---|---|
|
Type
Postural kyphosis |
Cause
Usually caused by bad posture, postural kyphosis often affects teenagers. It’s the most common type of kyphosis. |
|
Type
Scheuermann’s kyphosis |
Cause
The back of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) grow quicker than the front. This makes the vertebrae wedge-shaped and causes the spine to curve. |
|
Type
Congenital kyphosis |
Cause
Where a baby’s spine does not develop properly and curves as they grow. Congenital kyphosis is rare. |
Treatment for kyphosis is usually only needed if it's causing problems.
If treatment is needed, it will depend on the cause and how severe the curve in your spine is.
Treatments for kyphosis include:
Your child may have regular hospital appointments to check if the curve in their spine is getting worse. It may get worse until they’ve stopped growing.
You should be able to exercise if you have kyphosis. Strengthening your core muscles (the muscles around your tummy and lower back) can help.
Speak to a healthcare professional before starting to exercise if you’re new to exercise or if you have not exercised for some time.
If you have physiotherapy, you may be given some specific exercises to help reduce back pain and stiffness. But they will not improve the curve in your spine or stop it getting worse.
