What it is
Everyone's upper back has a gentle forward curve. In kyphosis, this curve is greater than normal, causing a rounded or hunched back. Causes include poor posture (postural kyphosis), Scheuermann's disease in teenagers, where vertebrae grow into a wedge shape, and compression fractures from osteoporosis in older adults.
Postural kyphosis can usually be corrected by standing straight; structural kyphosis cannot.
Common symptoms
Patients with kyphosis frequently report one or more of the following sensations:
When to see a doctor
See a doctor urgently if you have:
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs
- Loss of control over your bladder or bowels
- A curve that is worsening quickly
- Breathing difficulty
Otherwise, see a spine specialist if symptoms last more than a few weeks, keep coming back, or stop you from working, sleeping or walking comfortably.
Treatment options
Without surgery
The vast majority of spine conditions begin and resolve with conservative care:
When surgery may help
Surgery is only considered when non-surgical measures do not provide relief:
Surgery is rarely needed and is considered for severe or progressive curves, persistent pain despite treatment, or pressure on the spinal cord. It straightens and stabilises the spine with a spinal fusion.
Recovery
Most people with kyphosis are managed without surgery. After corrective surgery, recovery takes several months.
Recovery varies from person to person. Your doctor will guide you on what is right for you.
Common questions
Can kyphosis be caused by slouching?
Slouching can cause postural kyphosis, which usually improves with posture correction and exercise.
Is a hunched back in older age normal?
It's common, but it may signal compression fractures from osteoporosis, so it's worth checking with a doctor.
Consult Dr Vem Krishna Bhargava Reddy regarding your kyphosis symptoms
Most spine conditions respond to structured conservative care. If your symptoms are severe, worsening, or not responding to initial remedies, an in-person clinical examination and MRI review will give you clear, reassuring answers.
Consultations are scheduled across Apollo Hospitals (Jubilee Hills) and Vem Speciality Clinics, Madhapur based on schedule and clinical availability.