Kyphoscoliosis is a rare condition that combines kyphosis and scoliosis, causing forward and lateral bending of the spine. It can be associated with certain diseases and may require treatment, including physical therapy, braces, or surgery. Medical care from specialists may be necessary.
Kyphoscoliosis is a portmanteau word which combines the medical terms kyphosis and scoliosis and which may also be written as scoliokyphosis in some publications. Each of these terms provides a key to the definition of the word. Scoliosis means lateral or lateral bending of the vertebrae, and kyphosis means a forward bending of the upper back, which compresses the vertebrae together and creates what can feel like a hump. The issue becomes confusing as some sources list kyphoscoliosis and kyphosis as synonyms, but in more reliable definitions, kyphosis need not present with lateral or lateral curvatures of the spine.
Therefore, kyphoscoliosis can be viewed as a relatively rare disease, which can occur under a variety of circumstances. It may be associated with certain diseases such as Marfan syndrome or osteo imperfecta (brittle bone disease), or may occur rarely in childhood. Some older adults may get it, and people with osteoarthritis in particular may be more prone to it. Kyphosis alone occurs much more often, but both conditions are potentially serious and may require treatment.
The main symptoms could be back pain, curvature of the spine forward and side to side, and curvature or hunchback of the back. Depending on the degree of forward bending, breathing can be impaired because the area where the lungs are located can be greatly compressed. With even more severe cases, other symptoms may be present and these may include limited movement of certain areas of the body. Performing basic tasks may prove difficult when the curvature is severe.
Pronounced kyphoscoliosis isn’t likely to be missed by a doctor, but some scans, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be needed to look at degrees of curvature. Getting an idea of this degree can help determine treatment, but treatment should also be analyzed based on the cause of the condition. Not all remedies are the same or equally suitable for all patients.
Some treatment options include physical therapy, which can help correct a small degree of curvature. There are other things that may be considered, and these include the use of braces to gradually stabilize and correct the flexion. When the curvature is extremely pronounced, another option is to have surgery, which can straighten the spine in a variety of ways. Of the methods available to correct the problem, surgery may carry the greatest risk of complications, but it may also be the most effective.
People with moderate, severe, or progressive kyphoscoliosis benefit from medical care. Professionals who can specifically treat this disorder include orthopedic surgeons and sometimes neurosurgeons, should spinal surgery be needed. Depending on the cause of the disorder, people may also need help from other specialists.
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