Causes and differences of reinforced and flattened thoracic kyphosis

Kyphosis of the thoracic spine – physiological vignette of the vertebral column posterior to the angle of curvature (assessed on a lateral radiograph) not more than 30 degrees. When the bending is enhanced (more than 30 degrees), formed pathological kyphosis (Hyper-kyphosis). It is accompanied by multiple clinical symptoms and can lead to disability.

Causes and types of pathological changes

Pathological kyphosis can be congenital or acquired.

Congenital form occurs due to the vertebral anomalies (defects arches, spinous processes, the disruption of the formation of the bodies).

The Acquired form occurs usually congenital. It consists of the following:

• Infectious – bacterial and tuberculous lesion of the vertebral bodies;
• Vascular lack of blood flow in the spinal column and muscular framed back;
• Compression – excessive exercise leads to damage of the intervertebral discs and the offset of the axis of the vertebral column;
• Mobile – the weakness of the back muscles causes people to slouch, the spinal column is "skewed";
• Rachitic – lack of vitamin D leads to weak bone structure. Under the influence of the physical loading of the vertebrae with a weak core are deformed quickly;
• Senile – develops on the background of age-related changes in the muscular skeleton of the back and the intervertebral discs;
• Total – when this form is observed kyphotic arc throughout the spine.

depending on the appearance of pathology is divided into:

1. Corner
2. Arched.

In angular form of external concavity has an acute angle in the top of the curve. When the analog arcuate curvature has a flat appearance.

Classification of kyphosis severity:

• grade I – easy (with the angle of the concavity is greater than 30 degrees)
• grade II – moderate kyphosis of the thoracic spine (angle of 30-60 degrees)
• grade III – severe (characterized by the angle of curvature of over 60 degrees).

enhance the Symptoms of kyphosis thoracic

Thoracic kyphosis occurs 3 complexes of symptoms:

1. Vertebral
2. Myofascial
3. Compression myelopathy.

Compressive myelopathy in the thoracic region is rare, since anatomically it is characterized by minimal mobility. Attaching the ribs to the vertebrae prevents their mobility, so the likelihood of infringement of the nerve roots in this Department is low. The rib cage protects the inner part of the vertebrae from damage, which further increases the stability of the vertebrae.

At 2 degrees kyphotic arc thoracic spine appears local pain along the spinal column. Numbness of upper limbs with loss of skin sensation with compressive myelopathy in this area occurs even less frequently.

In patients With severe impairment of pain may radiate to the intercostal space, groin and abdomen. Kyphosis with compression myelopathy is often associated with pain expander nature, associated with stimulation of the sympathetic structures.

Spastic paresis of the lower and upper limbs accompanied by the disruption of superficial and deep sensitivity. Half of the patients in this pathology disorders observed in the work of the pelvic organs.

If the top of the excess bulge located in the region of Th10-Th12 and is accompanied by protrusion of the intervertebral disc at this level (hernia or protrusion), formed epiginosko-cone syndrome.

In rare cases of vertebral manifestations of this disease accompanied by lesions of radiculo-medullary arteries. These vessels nourish the spinal cord in the thoracic spine. If they are experiencing the accumulation of blood clots (thrombosis) and in the meanwhile intensified thoracic kyphosis, possible persistent spasm of skeletal muscles in the lower back, and also infringement of functions of pelvic organs.

treatment Methods

To Treat this pathology it is necessary depending on its severity and the reasons that led to the development. If the physiological kyphosis is flattened, and there has been a violation of posture, requires strengthening the muscular frame of the upper back. When there is a gain, on the contrary, it is necessary to tone up the chest muscles.

At the first degree of pathology effective treatment can be carried out without wearing a corrective corset. At this stage, the correction of the axis of the spine is carried out using:

• physical therapy
• Physiotherapy
• the appointment of symptomatic funds;
• Massage and osteopathy.

Daily exercises allows you to strengthen the muscle corset back, which will maintain the axis of the spine in the correct position.

If the medicaltherapy does not bring the desired effect, the doctors resort to surgical treatment.

The Indications for surgical treatment of thoracic kyphosis:

• Low effectiveness of conservative methods;
• severe pain, which cannot be eliminated by painkillers;
• Progressive deformation of the vertebral column;
• Ulcers in the chest;
• 3 amplification degree of convexity.

The Operation takes place in 2 stages. The first step is to correct the deformity by restoring the normal position of the vertebrae. The second step is stabilization of the spine with metal pins, rods and screws (pedicle system).

correcting exercises

To strengthen the muscles of the thoracic part of the back daily is recommended to perform the following list of exercises:

• Touch shoulders with hands, lying on his stomach. On the inhale try to throw your head back. When you do this, lift the chest up. In the process of performing the exercise, try to climb high. At the exit, return to supine position;
• To perform the second exercise required the gymnastic stick. Put it on the scapula, lying on his stomach and hold his hands on both sides. Raise your head and rotten spine. Fix this position for 6-8 seconds and then scroll down. The number of repetitions – 8-10
• get on all fours and rotten chest down, elbows move aside. In this position, try to complete 50 steps;
• Take gymnastic stick and spread your feet shoulder-width apart. Get the stick behind his back so that she was touching the blades. Sit down on the exhale and rise up on the breath;
• Position your feet shoulder width apart in standing position. Get the stick behind your back and press it onto the blades. On the inhale lift it up and bend head backwards. On the exhale return to the starting position.

If every day to perform the above mentioned exercises, you can prevent further curvature of the spine of the axis.

Thus, the kyphosis of the chest in the initial stages is not accompanied by severe clinical symptoms due to the low mobility of the chest. The second and third the degree of curvature leads to serious complications, therefore, treatment of pathology must be carried out as early as possible.