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Kyphosis of the cervical spine: what it is, how to fix it, gymnastics

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 18.10.2021
 
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The curvature of the cervical spine, directed backwards, is called cervical kyphosis, but if the bulge is facing forward, we are talking about cervical lordosis. The first deformation is extremely rare, the second - much more often. These pathologies can be detected even in infants, although they are formed for a long time and become clearly visible at a later age.

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Epidemiology

According to statistics, about 10% of the population of the planet has kyphosis, especially children and adolescents are susceptible to it, while cervical kyphosis is rare.

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Causes of the cervical kyphosis

Why does this happen to the spine? The reasons contributing to the occurrence of cervical kyphosis are divided into congenital and acquired. For born are:

  • pathologies of prenatal development;
  • birth trauma;
  • rickets;
  • muscle paralysis, for example, with cerebral palsy;
  • congenital anomalies, including vertebral nonunion.

Acquired arise from:

  • spinal injuries or muscles, ligaments;
  • the formation of tumors;
  • lack of or excessive physical exertion;
  • Scheuermann Mau disease;
  • inflammatory processes in the cervical vertebrae;
  • systemic diseases of the skeletal system (tuberculosis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, sciatica, ankylosing spondylitis);
  • herniated intervertebral discs, changes in their structure.

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Risk factors

The following factors can contribute to the curvature of the cervical spine:

  • wrong static posture in which a person has to be for a long time;
  • excess weight;
  • accelerated growth in the spine;
  • old age

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Pathogenesis

Each type of kyphosis has its own pathogenesis, but the manifestations are the same - a change in the anatomical structure of the cervical spine, which can harm health in general.

All vertebrae are interconnected by intervertebral discs - a kind of cartilaginous pads for cushioning physical exertion, ligaments of elastic tissue and tendons for attaching muscles to the bones that hold the spinal column.

Under adverse conditions, the vertebral ligaments stretch, the muscles weaken, cease to perform their function, allowing the vertebrae to take on other forms, to bend.

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Symptoms of the cervical kyphosis

The first signs of cervical kyphosis are manifested in a worsening of the mobility of the cervical region, a painful symptom when turning the head. Other evidence of disease includes:

  • numbness in hands;
  • fast fatiguability;
  • the appearance of a stoop, sometimes a hump;
  • headaches;
  • dizziness and tinnitus;
  • tingling in the nape and jaw;
  • deterioration of visual acuity and hearing;
  • blood pressure surges.

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Stages

Depending on such indicators as the angle of inclination and the kyphosis coefficient, the stage of the pathology is determined:

  • I - light, spine curved to 30º;
  • II - moderate (from 30º to 60º);
  • III - heavy (over 60º).

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Forms

Kyphosis of the cervical region is divided into:

  • pathological cervical;
  • cervicothoracic - arcuate, continuing the line of physiological thoracic;
  • angular - angular, forming the angle at the top of the kyphosis.

Complications and consequences

Long-term development of pathology without treatment leads to involvement in the pathological process of the thoracic region, which is fraught with dysfunction of the respiratory organs: shortness of breath, frequent bronchitis, pneumonia, and the heart also suffers.

Constriction of the nerve roots of the spinal cord threatens with paralysis, and infringement of the vertebral artery leads to malfunction of the blood supply to the brain and neurological complications.

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Diagnostics of the cervical kyphosis

Cervical kyphosis is visible visually to the naked eye, because is a hillock or hump. However, conduct a more detailed diagnosis in order to identify the cause of the disease. The most informative is the instrumental one, which includes radiography in several projections, perhaps the entire spine. In the pictures, soft tissues are painted gray, black - hollow organs, white - bones.

It is possible to conduct myelography - a snapshot after the injection of a contrast agent to highlight the color of the vascular network and nerves. It helps to identify intervertebral hernia, narrowing of the spinal canal, pinching nerves.

Additional studies include CT and MRI. In the future, their results will make it possible to make different versions of the model of the structure of the spine.

The task of differentiated diagnostics is to identify the true cause from all possible and direct the therapy on it.

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Who to contact?

Treatment of the cervical kyphosis

The disease requires long-term conservative treatment. First of all, it is aimed at relieving pain and relaxing muscles. For this purpose, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and preparations for the treatment of vascular tone disorders, muscle relaxants, vitamin-mineral complexes, with rickets - vitamin D are prescribed.

A good performance is given by wearing a special cervical corset, physiotherapy is necessary.

Physiotherapy

In case of cervical kyphosis, manual therapy, massage, water treatments are used, among which swimming is most effective. Also, individually for each patient, a set of exercises is developed that strengthen the neck muscles, leveling the posture.

It is also possible the use of electrophoresis, ultrasound, acupuncture for pain relief, activation of blood circulation, metabolic processes, elimination of congestion in the region of the cervical vertebrae.

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Cervical kyphosis exercises

Exercises to help overcome the pathology, held in a sitting position:

  • shoulders and chin lowered, body relaxed, making movements, trying to pull the neck up;
  • try to reach the chest with your chin as far as possible;
  • alternate head tilt forward and back slightly;
  • alternately to the left and right shoulder;
  • bring the palm to the temple, absorbing the effort to tilt your head in the same direction;
  • do the same with the other hand in the opposite direction.

Each of them is done 3-5 times, gradually increasing the number of repetitions. Do not forget about daily gymnastics, only consistency and duration will give their results.

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Surgery

For severe cervical kyphosis, surgical treatment is indicated. At the present stage, there are techniques that allow not to conduct open interventions, but to apply minimally invasive operations. After them, they also resort to physical therapy and physiotherapy.

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Prevention

The following preventive measures will help to avoid the development and progression of the disease:

  • monitor posture;
  • sleep on a hard surface using an orthopedic mattress;
  • pick up a low comfortable pillow;
  • do not freeze for a long time in one static position;
  • do not carry heavy loads;
  • lead a mobile life;
  • Ensure parents follow these guidelines for children.

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Forecast

As with any other type of kyphosis, the prognosis is favorable for its early detection and treatment. More complex its degree of deteriorating quality of life, more difficult to correct. The results of surgical treatment are not always satisfactory.

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