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Kyphosis (Greek – kyphos, a hump) also called “hunch back” or “hunchbackism” or “hunchbackedness”, in general terms, is a common condition of a curvature of the upper (thoracic) spine. It can be either the result of bad posture (slouching) or a structural, muscular abnormality in the spine.
In the sense of a deformity, it is the pathological curving of the spine, where parts of the spinal column lose some or all of their lordotic profile. This causes a bowing of the back, seen as a slouching back and breathing difficulties. Severe cases can cause great discomfort and even lead to death.
There are several kinds of kyphosis (ICD-10 codes are provided):
Body braces showed benefit in a randomized controlled trial.[7]
The Milwaukee brace is one particular body brace that is often used to treat kyphosis.
Surgical treatment can be used in severe cases. In patients with progressive kyphotic deformity due to vertebral collapse, a procedure called a kyphoplasty may arrest the deformity and relieve the pain. The procedure is serious and consists of fusion of the abnormal vertebrae[8].
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