Describe and briefly explain kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis

Kyphosis
Curvature of spine that causes the top of back to appear more rounded than normal (>45
degrees), specifically more curvature in middle section of thoracic vertebrae

Symptoms
 Back pain + stiffness
 Tenderness of spine
 Tiredness
Causes
 Poor posture – slouching, leaning back in chairs, carrying heavy weights
 Abnormally shaped vertebrae (Scheuermann’s kyphosis) – if vertebrae don’t develop
properly -> out of position
 Age – older people -> spinal curvature
Complications
 Persistent pain
 Breathing difficulties due to spine compressing lungs + airways
 Paresthesia + neuropathy in arms + legs
 Loss of balance, normal bladder, bowel control
Tx
 Bracing to limit progression
 Rarely requires surgical treatment

Scoliosis
Abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine

Symptoms
 Visibly curved spine
  One shoulder higher than the other
 Prominent ribcage
 Difference in leg lengths
Causes
 Sometimes unknown – idiopathic scoliosis, which can’t be prevented
 Underlying nerve/muscle condition – cerebral palsy/muscular dystrophy
 Wear + tear of spine w/ age
Complications
 Lifestyle changes
 Psychological changes
Tx
 Young children – treatment not always necessary
 Back brace worn for older children
 Spinal fusion

Lordosis
Inward curve of lumbar spine.

Symptoms
 Prominent buttocks
 Paresthesia + neuropathy
  Difficulty controlling muscle
Causes
 Most cases are idiopathic
 Spondylolisthesis
 Achondroplasia
 Osteoporosis
 Osteosarcoma
 Obesity
Complications
 Mass discomfort and pain due to excess pressure
 Psychological + lifestyle complications
Tx
 Physio
 Braces in younger people
 Weight loss
 Surgery – spinal instrumentation, artificial disc replacement -> kyphoplasty (severe)

References
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Lordosis (Swayback): Types, Causes & Symptoms. [online] Available
at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23908-lordosis#:~:text=Most%20cases
%20of%20lordosis%20are [Accessed 8 Mar. 2023].

Healthline. (2019). Lordosis: Causes, Treatments, and Risks. [online] Available at:

https://www.healthline.com/health/lordosis#_noHeaderPrefixedContent.
Kandola, A. (2022). Kyphosis: Symptoms, causes, exercises, and treatment. [online]
www.medicalnewstoday.com. Available at:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324071.

Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.). Lordosis - lumbar Information | Mount Sinai - New York.
[online] Available at: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/lordosis-
lumbar#:~:text=Lordosis%20is%20the%20inward%20curve.

nhs.uk. (2018). Kyphosis. [online] Available at:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kyphosis/#:~:text=Kyphosis%20is%20curvature%20of
%20the.

Regan, J.J. (2020). A Closer Look at Lordosis. [online] SpineUniverse. Available at:
https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/spinal-disorders/closer-look-lordosis.

www.orthoinfo.org. (n.d.). Surgical Treatment for Scoliosis - OrthoInfo - AAOS. [online]

Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/surgical-treatment-for-scoliosis/
#:~:text=The%20operation%20for%20scoliosis%20is.