Thoracic kyphosis is enhanced. What does it mean, symptoms, treatment, exercise therapy, exercises, x-rays

Thoracic kyphosis is the natural curve of the vertebrae located in the thoracic back. Physiological curvature of the spine ensures the normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system, full mobility of the neck, muscles of the chest and lumbosacral segment.

Strengthening or smoothing kyphosis is pathological condition of the vertebral column, which leads to a violation of posture, the occurrence of severe deformational changes in the structure of the spine, ribs, sternum, which means a decrease in the functionality of internal organs.

Increased thoracic kyphosis is characterized by weakness of the spinal column, which is unable to withstand the compression load while walking or sitting for a long time. Under the influence of static pressure, the spine flexes in the opposite direction from the ribs and the entire chest.

In this regard, a sick person has pronounced signs of stoop. As the disease progresses, the pathological curvature of the spine only intensifies, which means the automatic development of concomitant complications. The lack of timely measures of therapy leads to the formation of a hump.

Views

Most of the varieties of enhanced kyphosis are associated with the nature of the origin of the pathology of the musculoskeletal system. The table below lists the main types of this disease.

Type of enhanced kyphosis	Characteristics of pathology
Congenital	Congenital enhanced kyphosis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system that is transmitted to the child along with genetic information. Children with this diagnosis initially develop abnormally, and their spinal column is not able to keep the body in a physiologically correct position.
Mobile	Enhanced kyphosis of the mobile type occurs due to insufficient development of the back muscles located in the thoracic region. The lack of a full-fledged muscle corset leads to the fact that all the compression and static load falls on the spine, which gradually deforms over time. Elimination of this disease is possible through regular exercise.
Tuberculous	Tuberculous kyphosis is one of the most dangerous diseases. Pathological curvature of the spine occurs due to infection of its bone and connective tissue with Koch's wand. A bacterial infection leads to chronic inflammation, destruction of the vertebrae and softening of their structure. The result of the disease is progressive deformity of the spinal column.
Deformation	This type of disease is provoked by deforming osteopathy of the vertebrae. This pathology is most often found in adolescent children, whose body is experiencing a sharp surge in sex hormones, rapid skeletal growth, lack of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients substances.
Rachitic	Rachytic increased kyphosis occurs in younger children who suffer from prolonged vitamin D deficiency. A distinctive feature of this type of disease is that not only the spine is subjected to deformation changes, but also other elements of the musculoskeletal system.
Compression	Enhanced kyphosis of the compression type occurs after a spinal fracture, the result of which is a decrease in the height of the vertebrae. In this case, it is a complication of a previous injury.
Total	Total kyphosis is one of the most severe pathologies of the spine, which is characterized by the presence of arcuate deformity along its entire length.
Cervical	Enhanced kyphosis of the cervical spine is considered the rarest disease that occurs in medical practice. In most cases, the curvature of the neck is congenital or is the result of severe trauma.

The type of disease is established by the doctor based on the results of a diagnostic examination of the patient. The patient goes through the stage of external examination, and then receives a referral to undergo instrumental research methods.

Stages and degrees

Enhanced thoracic kyphosis means the presence of a chronic disease of the musculoskeletal system, which led to a gradual curvature of the spine.

The following degrees of severity of this pathology are distinguished:

• 1st degree - the patient constantly has a feeling of fatigue in the back, aching pain in the muscles is felt, located in close proximity to the spine, there are signs of poor posture with pronounced stoop;
• 2nd degree - the aggravation of kyphosis develops, the shoulders and head descend, and the pain in the back area only intensifies, as does the stooped posture;
• Grade 3 - the spine is bent so much that it loses its mobility, there is an extensive deformity of the chest cells, ribs, the functions of internal organs are disrupted, the tissues of which are subjected to compression squeezing.

Enhanced kyphosis of 1 and 2 degrees of severity is successfully treated using conservative and physiotherapeutic techniques. The last stage of the disease requires surgical intervention, and in some cases, pathological changes become irreversible.

Symptoms

Enhanced thoracic kyphosis means the presence of typical symptoms that are characteristic of most chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

This pathology can be identified by the presence of the following signs:

• a feeling of sharp or aching pain in muscle fibers located in the immediate vicinity of the thoracic vertebrae;
• pronounced stoop, which progresses rapidly;
• headaches, impaired coordination of movements, dizziness, which occur due to compression of blood vessels and impaired blood circulation;
• drooping head and shoulders;
• deformation of the chest, ribs, spine;
• the formation of a bulky hump.

An experienced specialist is able to detect the first manifestations of increased kyphosis solely by the shape of the patient's posture. Symptoms of the disease occur in early childhood or adolescence. The severity of the disease largely depends on the reasons that caused the painful condition of the back.

Reasons for the appearance

In children of the younger age group and adolescents, this disease occurs due to congenital malformations, lack of nutrients, and improper posture.

In adults, the following factors can influence the manifestation of enhanced kyphosis:

• infection of the bone and connective tissue of the spine with infectious microorganisms;
• progressive osteoporosis;
• previous trauma and surgery that led to damage to the spinal column in the chest area;
• polio;
• genetic predisposition to deformational changes in the musculoskeletal system;
• Marfan syndrome;
• psychological complexes, self-doubt, neurological diseases that make a person walk with his head and shoulders down;
• degenerative arthritis;
• extraneous neoplasms in the spine;
• ankylosing spondylitis.

The reasons that influenced the occurrence of enhanced kyphosis are determined by the attending physician based on the results of a preliminary examination. After that, a course of complex therapy is formed.

Diagnostics

After completing the initial examination of the condition of the thoracic spine the patient, the attending physician directs the patient to undergo the following diagnostics:

• CT scan;
• chest x-ray;
• Ultrasound of internal organs that are in the zone of deformational changes;
• ECG of the heart, if the patient complains of concomitant heart problems that have arisen as the increased kyphosis progresses;
• Magnetic resonance imaging.

The type of diagnostic examination, as well as the appropriateness of their use, is determined by the attending physician. A preliminary examination and oral consultation costs from 1,700 to 2,500 rubles. The price of a complex hardware study is 8500-10000 rubles. These are the rates for private clinics. In public health institutions, examination and consultation with a doctor are free of charge.

When to see a doctor

An appeal to the doctor should take place as soon as the first signs of pathological changes in posture, accompanied by progressive stoop, bouts of back pain, rapid fatigue. People with similar symptoms should see a vertebrologist, traumatologist, orthopedist, or surgeon.

Doctors of these specialties are engaged in the treatment of increased kyphosis. The cost of a course of therapy depends on the severity of the disease, as well as the number of complications that have arisen under its influence.

Prophylaxis

In order to keep your posture beautiful, your back straight, and also to minimize the risk of developing enhanced kyphosis, the following prevention rules must be followed:

• while in a sitting position, you must always monitor your posture;
• to strengthen the muscular corset of the chest so that a minimum load is created on the spine;
• avoid physical fatigue, as well as performing heavy work, which involve a long stay in a bent position;
• balance the diet by saturating it with foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D (chicken eggs, milk, seafood, cottage cheese, sour cream, hard cheese);
• do not lift objects weighing more than 3-5 kg;
• while in a horizontal position, use an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
• do exercises every morning;
• avoid a sedentary lifestyle, move more;
• at least once a week, perform gymnastic exercises aimed at stretching the vertebrae (hanging on a horizontal bar, bending forward, bending your back while lying on your stomach).

The implementation of the above recommendations for the prevention of increased kyphosis will allow not only prevent disease, but also strengthen the muscles of the thoracic spine, making the back aesthetically pleasing attractive. People in whose family there are cases of manifestations of this pathology should every 12 months. be examined by a doctor (even if there are no symptoms of kyphosis).

Treatment methods

Thoracic kyphosis is enhanced means the beginning of pathological changes in the structure of the musculoskeletal system. To eliminate this disease, to return the person to a healthy posture and full mobility of the spine, conservative, physiotherapeutic and surgical treatment is used.

Mode

In the therapy of increased kyphosis, an important role is played by a properly composed daily regimen, which should include the following points:

• healthy and good rest lasting at least 8-9 hours;
• lack of heavy physical exertion on the back muscles;
• daily morning exercises, the duration of which should be at least 15 minutes;
• taking vitamin and mineral complexes;
• getting up and going to bed at a strictly defined time;
• the use of a fixation corset, the duration of which is determined by the attending physician;
• evening or lunchtime exercise of physiotherapy exercises, the selection of which is carried out by the doctor;
• visiting a massage session.

Patients with enhanced kyphosis are strictly forbidden to lift heavy objects, overwork, stay in bent or sitting position, limit yourself to the use of seafood, cottage cheese, milk, hard cheese, chicken eggs. The nutrition of patients with this disease should be complete and as balanced as possible.

Medications

Drug therapy for increased kyphosis involves the use of the following anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs, as well as drugs, preventing deficiency of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus:

• Calcium-D3 Nycomed - an effective drug that prevents bone demineralization, which is taken 1 tablet 2 times a day, and the average cost of a medication is 675 rubles;
• Ibuprofen - analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, which is taken 1-2 tablets up to 3 times a day (the maximum duration of the therapeutic course is 5 days, and the price of the medicine is 110 rub.);
• Ketonal gel - the drug is applied to an area of ​​the body with severe pain syndrome, and then slowly rubbed into the skin (the medication is used 1-2 times a day, and its cost is 235 rubles);
• Menovazine - medicinal solution to improve local blood circulation, relieve inflammation and pain syndrome (the drug is applied on the sore area of ​​the back and slowly rubbed over the surface of the skin 1-2 times a day, and its average price in pharmacies is 25 rubles. per bottle 40 ml).

All of the above medicines, as well as other anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, are used to reduce the painful symptoms of increased kyphosis.

Traditional methods

Traditional medicines are not used in the treatment of increased kyphosis, since they are not able to provide the desired therapeutic effect.

Exercise therapy

Thoracic kyphosis is enhanced means the presence of chronic diseases of the spine. The use of physiotherapy exercises is advisable if a person is diagnosed with increased kyphosis of 1 or 2 degrees of severity.

To achieve a positive therapeutic result, it is recommended to perform exercises throughout the week, designed to strengthen the muscles of the back, align the spine, and prevent further progression disease.

Monday

You should do morning exercises, and then do the stretching of the spine. To do this, you should hang on the horizontal bar for 15 minutes. The exercise is divided into 3-5 sets of 5-3 minutes duration. respectively.

Tuesday

On this day of the training process, it is necessary to bend forward, trying to reach with the tips of the fingers to the soles of the feet. At the same time, the knees should remain straight. The exercise is performed in 5 sets of 30-40 repetitions.

Wednesday

On this day of the week, attention should be paid to strengthening the muscle corset. To do this, you need to lie on your stomach, and then put your arms and legs shoulder-width apart. While inhaling, you need to simultaneously raise the upper and lower limbs, arching the back as much as possible. On exhalation, the body should return to its original position. It is enough to perform 4 sets of 8-10 repetitions.

Thursday

On Thursday, it is recommended to do exercises with a gymnastic stick, which helps to restore beautiful posture and align the spine. To do this, it is necessary to put the sports equipment behind your back so that its surface is in contact with the shoulder blades, and the shoulders are straightened.

Upon completion of the preparation, one should alternately rotate the body to the right and left sides. The exercise must be done in 5 sets of 30 repetitions.

Friday

On this day of the program of physiotherapy exercises, you should strengthen the muscular corset of the spine. For this purpose, a horizontal bar is best suited.

It is necessary to fix your hands on the surface of the bar and completely relax your body. On inhalation, you need to pull up the torso to the crossbar, and on exhalation, return to its original position. It is recommended to do 3 sets of 5-7 reps.

Saturday

Saturday is the final day of a week of exercise therapy exercises. To further strengthen the muscular frame of the sternum, it is necessary to take 2 dumbbells weighing 1-2 kg. Then you should take an upright position, put your feet shoulder-width apart and lean forward a little. At the same time, the back is kept as straight as possible.

On inhalation, you need to take the dumbbells behind your back so that the latissimus dorsi muscles are trained. As you exhale, the dumbbells are lowered back to their original position. The exercise is performed in 5 sets of 10 repetitions.

Sunday

Sunday is the last day of the weekly therapy cycle, which should be fully devoted to resting and rebuilding the back musculature. To do this, a person must eat well, take leisurely walks in the fresh air, and lie down more.

Other methods

The advanced stages of enhanced kyphosis, the signs of which cannot be eliminated with the help of physiotherapy exercises and massage, are subject to surgical treatment. This is a complex surgical intervention that involves long-term rehabilitation.

The surgeon aligns the spinal column using special titanium plates attached to the bone tissue of the vertebrae. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Upon completion of surgical procedures, the patient receives an even spine, together with which deformation changes in the chest are eliminated.

Possible complications

Lack of timely diagnosis and treatment of increased kyphosis over time can lead to to the development of the following complications and negative consequences for the body:

• chronic osteochondrosis;
• compression of the heart and the occurrence of concomitant cardiac diseases;
• the formation of intervertebral hernias;
• entrapment of nerves with complete or partial paralysis of individual elements of the musculoskeletal system;
• periodic bouts of bronchial spasm with the onset of a feeling of suffocation (this complication is caused by compression of the lungs with a deformed chest);
• cramps of the lower extremities;
• violation of cerebral circulation;
• loss of the ability to move independently;
• disability and lifelong dependence on outside help;
• the emergence of psychological complexes, as well as neurological disorders.

Enhanced kyphosis of the thoracic back is a serious disease of the musculoskeletal system, which can be congenital or acquired in the process of independent life. This pathology most often affects children of the younger age group, as well as adolescents.

The disease is characterized by excessive curvature of the spinal column with the further development of deformities of the sternum, ribs, compression of the heart, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. If a person has this diagnosis, it means that it is necessary to change your lifestyle, to perform actions aimed at aligning the curved spine.

Video about thoracic kyphosis

Kyphosis of the thoracic spine: