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advice for kyphosis?

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  • #1

    advice for kyphosis?

    Hi,

    Several years ago a doctor diagnosed me with Scheuermann’s kyphosis, and slight scoliosis. He didn't really offer much advice beyond listing all the general options people have. It appeared in my teens and now in my twenties it manifests as me having a slouching posture. Appearance wise I can correct it by consciously maintaining a straight back but as soon as I forget I slouch again. I have not been able to continually maintain the 'correct' posture despite being encouraged by many people to do so.

    I have tried on some cloth strap like brace bought for me from some catalog but it doesn't do anything so i stopped using it. I don't currently have an pain, and aside from slouching there doesn't seem to be any other problem so far but I'm afraid the problem might get worse over time. Does anybody have any general advice about how I should proceed or what I can do to help this condition?

    thanks
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  • #2
    I am 33, I realised I had kyphosis when I was 14; I saw a specialist when I was 17, and I feel totally totally alone about this.
    When I was a child, at school, I slouched because I was the tallest in my class at school and I was shy...but I don't know if this was what caused it...NOONE HAS TOLD ME!!! which is partly what angers me
    I still don't know if my kyphosis was caused by slouching as a kid during my growth spurt, or some pre-ordained bone condition
    But, the bottom line is I cannot relax, because; to hide the hump, I have to walk with my shoulders back like The Terminator, because I am terrified of anyone seeing my hump
    with the result of my life being ruined, and I am currently unable to hold down a social or work life and am seeking suicide.

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    • #3
      Help for kyphosis

      Others, with your problem, have been straightened by the right surgical procedure done by the right doctor. Do a search on Kyphosis-you will be reading for hours.
      Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
      Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

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      • #4
        JJ,

        Like Karen said, you are not alone in this. Do you know what degree your Kyphosis is? Have you been to a doctor who specializes in Kyphosis? Have you considered surgery?

        My daughter is one of the people Karen mentioned. Jamie's Kyphosis was in the 70's before surgery and has been corrected down to the low 30's. Having surgery to correct her Kyphosis and Scoliosis, was the best decision for her. She has never looked back nor has she regretted having surgery.

        Mary Lou
        Mom to Jamie age 21-diagnosed at age 12-spinal fusion 12/7/2004-fused from T3-L2; and Tracy age 19, mild Scoliosis-diagnosed at age 18.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by JJ McClure View Post
          I am 33, I realised I had kyphosis when I was 14; I saw a specialist when I was 17, and I feel totally totally alone about this.
          When I was a child, at school, I slouched because I was the tallest in my class at school and I was shy...but I don't know if this was what caused it...NOONE HAS TOLD ME!!! which is partly what angers me
          I still don't know if my kyphosis was caused by slouching as a kid during my growth spurt, or some pre-ordained bone condition
          But, the bottom line is I cannot relax, because; to hide the hump, I have to walk with my shoulders back like The Terminator, because I am terrified of anyone seeing my hump
          with the result of my life being ruined, and I am currently unable to hold down a social or work life and am seeking suicide.
          I hope you are not serious. I was mad at people too. The doctor who's supposedly an orthopedic surgeon was all chill about my situation and didn't emphasize decisive treatment at my age IMO. Because of this it wasn't corrected early and I was allowed to remain like this to this day when I could have had the problem fixed with maybe a brace and had been done with it years ago. Now I may be doomed to more invasive surgery. I was just a dumb kid so I didn't know any better back than. I'm not sure but I wouldn't be surprised if looking like Nixon all the time does some damage to your social life over the years. I was angry (and maybe I still am a little) but I've allowed myself to move on and you should look forward to get it treated too. Thankfully it hasn't led to any other problems besides appearance, at least for the time being.
          Last edited by regular12; 02-05-2009, 03:40 AM.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by JJ McClure View Post
            But, the bottom line is I cannot relax, because; to hide the hump, I have to walk with my shoulders back like The Terminator,

            Chin back, not shoulders

            I also have Scheuermann’s kyphosis, and just spent a few months in PT.

            you don't need to pull your shoulders back, but rather pull your chin back and the rest will follow, pulling your shoulders back still leaves your head sticking out, and doesn't help your posture.

            I'm 36 and didn't have pain until i hit 30, but the pain is bad.
            PT got rid of my lower back pain, but mid back and shoulders are still awful.

            i now have neck pain, like my muscles are getting pulled at the back of my skull from straightening myself up

            however, I am standing straighter then i ever remember. It took about two weeks of PT before I could even force my head up right. my posture has totally changed.

            I could not even consciously keep myself straight. I'm taller also, and remember those teenage years... people asking me why my head stuck out, I didn't even understand. my parents figured because I am tall, and never concerned. but all those "sit up straight" comments really got old.

            start doing those chin tucks!!
            http://www.agedefyingfitness.com/docs/Posture.pdf
            Last edited by aktech23; 03-03-2009, 11:54 AM.

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            • #7
              Christa Lehnert-Schroth has recorded recommendations of quite a variety of exercises for Scheuermann's kyphosis in her book, mentioned elsewhere in several threads on this forum. A Schroth-trained therapist (unfortunately there aren't many in the US yet), or another PT who is interested in investigating the Schroth system, would be able to help you achieve a large degree of pain reduction and likely also correction. There's a list of Schroth PTs on the homepage of the NSF (scroll way down) and on Mrs Lehnert's website --

              http://www.scoliosistreatment-schroth.com

              Lehnert suggests starting by shifting the pelvis backward, which allows the spine to rise up out of its cramped curvature, then lifting the head upward and more erect. These and subsequent more complex exercises in her system should be done under medical supervision since it is hard initially to monitor your own posture.

              Good luck to all of you Scheuermann patients in your treatment.

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              • #8
                Seeing a Physical Therapist would be a good idea. If only for a couple of visits to get an understanding of how to help yourself to get better. Having an experienced outside perspective really helps, I learned a lot from going.

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