Kyphosis/Scheuermann's Specialist
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Dr. S. Samuel Bederman
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon & Back, Spine, & Neck Specialist located in Orange, CA
Deformities of the spine like scoliosis and kyphosis affect your posture, the spine’s function, and your comfort. At RESTORE Orthopedics and Spine Center in Orange, California, orthopedic spine surgeon S. Samuel Bederman, MD, specializes in correcting scoliosis and kyphosis in adults and children. Call the office or book an appointment online if you’ve been told you need deformity correction spinal surgery.
Kyphosis/Scheuermann's Q & A
What is kyphosis?
Kyphosis describes an abnormal, excessive outward curve of the spine. The upper back appears rounded — as in a hunchback. The condition can show up at any age, but it’s common in teenagers.
Kyphosis doesn’t always require treatment. Often physical therapy or a back brace is enough to improve your posture and strengthen your spine. But severe cases of kyphosis can lead to spinal deformity and breathing problems.
What are the signs of kyphosis?
Kyphosis varies in severity. You could notice the following in cases of kyphosis:
- Rounded shoulders
- Mild back pain
- A visible hump on the back
- Fatigue
- Spinal stiffness
- Exaggerated swayback in the lower spine
In severe cases, kyphosis can cause weakness and/or numbness in the legs, loss of sensation, and shortness of breath.
What is Scheuermann’s disease?
Scheuermann’s disease is a common cause of kyphosis. It is a developmental disorder of the spine that describes an abnormal growth of the upper back vertebrae but may also show up in the vertebrae in the lower back. This is a separate condition from scoliosis.
In Scheuermann’s disease, the back of the vertebrae grow normally and the front grows more slowly, causing the bones to develop a wedge shape and creating a hunchback posture.
How is kyphosis treated?
Kyphosis is treated using routine monitoring with low-dose radiation EOS X-rays Physical therapy and bracing help resolve most mild to moderate cases of kyphosis.
Kyphosis is usually treated using spinal fusion surgery. Spinal fusion surgery can be used in extreme cases with the goal of:
- Reducing the degree of the curve
- Preventing progression of kyphosis
- Easing or eliminating back pain
Dr. Bederman is an expert spinal surgeon who can evaluate your case of kyphosis and offer the treatment plan he believes is best for your particular diagnosis.
Robotic surgery and 3D patient-specific guided surgery are safe and accurate ways to improve scoliosis surgery. Dr. Bederman is a pioneer in the field of robotic surgery and 3D patient-specific guided spinal surgery.
Call RESTORE Orthopedics and Spine Center or schedule a consultation using this website to find out more about correcting spinal deformities with surgery.
