Thoracic Spine

Question 1

Who does Congenital and Developmental Kyphosis happen to?

Answer 1

1. Pediatrics = congenital

Adolescents = developmental

Question 2

Who does Postural and Degenerative Kyphosis happen to?

Answer 2

Adults = postural

Elderly = degenerative

Question 3

What are possible symptoms of a child having kyphosis?

Answer 3

Gradual onset
Pain happens towards the end of the day
Sharp pain leaning backwards

Question 4

Who does Scheurmann’s kyphosis occur in mostly

Answer 4

Men

12-15 (still developing bones)

Question 5

What is the pathophysiology that causes Scheurmann’s kyphosis?

What kind of shape does this turn the thoracic spine into?

Answer 5

Bones grow too fast

Front sections of the vertebrae grow slower than back sections. This creates a wedge shape

Question 6

What is the difference between Anterior wedging and Cobb’s angle

Answer 6

Anterior wedging is used to diagnose kyphosis

Cobb’s angle is used to determine the maximum angle of curvature

Question 7

How is Scheurmann’s kyphosis diagnosed?

Answer 7

Anterior wedging

Will need at least 3 ADJACENT vertebral bodies 5 degree or greater

Question 8

Besides measuring angle of curvature what other benefit does Cobb’s angle provide

Answer 8

Helps determine therapeutic intervention for kyphosis

Question 9

What are conservative treatment options for kyphosis?

Answer 9

1. Stretching and strengthening

2. If curvature is greater than 55-60 degrees, can wear a brace until skeletal maturity

Question 10

When is surgery utilized to treat kyphosis?

Answer 10

1. If Skeletal maturity has already happened
2. Pain is unresponsive to conservative treatment
3. Rigid deformaty
4. Kyphosis is greater than 75 degrees