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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffKyphosis symptoms may include:
- Slouching posture or hunchback
- Mild back pain
- Spinal stiffness or tenderness
- Fatigue
In mild cases, kyphosis may produce no noticeable signs or symptoms.
When to see a doctor
Because kyphosis initially often produces no signs and symptoms, it may go unnoticed until a routine physical examination or a school screening for scoliosis. But some people may notice pain, a rounding of the shoulders or a hump on the upper back.
Have your child examined if you see any of the signs of kyphosis. Also, if you develop any of the signs or symptoms, see your doctor for an examination to determine whether you need further evaluation.
Although rare, kyphosis can lead to serious health problems, such as physical deformity, breathing difficulties or damage to internal organs that are affected by the postural changes. So it's important to see a doctor if you experience signs or symptoms of kyphosis.
- Kyphosis (roundback) of the spine. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00423&return_link=0. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
- Kyphosis. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178504199-3/939924608/1584/290.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50041-6--cesec146_1870. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
- Spiegel DA. The spine. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Kliegman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178504199-7/0/1608/1580.html?tocnode=54487234&fromURL=1580.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50680-0--cesec14_12497. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
- Kyphoplasty. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00388. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
- Thomas MA, et al. Scoliosis and kyphosis. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178504199-10/939961186/1678/200.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50145-0--cesec17_2442. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
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