Adolescent Kyphosis, what is it?
Adolescent Kyphosis is the abnormal arching in a teenager which over the years increases regardless of how active he is.
An increase in thoracic kyphosis over 40° implies an increase in lumbar lordosis and an eradication of the lordosis of the neck. This happens purely for mechanical reasons of support and balance.
The Scheuermann disease, otherwise known as Osteochondritis of the Spine, is met in the largest percentage of juvenile kyphosis cases visiting a Spine Center;
it is a condition that seems to have genetic causes, but it is still not known how it intervenes with the epiphyseal plates, slowing down their development, especially on their frontal part.
There are few the nonstructural Kyphosis that are due to a weak muscle extensor mechanism in a child. A special digital x-ray, however, is needed, along with special vertebra measurement tools, since many times the damage is of small extent or the patient is in childhood.