{"id":2188,"date":"2026-03-04T13:30:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T12:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wirbelsaeulen-clinic.de\/kyphosis-causes-symptoms-and-modern-treatment-of-spinal-curvature\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T13:58:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T12:58:40","slug":"kyphosis-causes-symptoms-and-modern-treatment-of-spinal-curvature","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wirbelsaeulen-clinic.de\/en\/spinal-disorders-causes-symptoms-treatment-in-berlin\/kyphosis-causes-symptoms-and-modern-treatment-of-spinal-curvature\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyphosis: causes, symptoms and modern treatment of spinal curvature"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Kyphosis: causes, symptoms and modern treatment of spinal curvature<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Many people<\/strong> notice changes in their back<\/strong> over the course of their lives: increasing back pain<\/strong>, a forward leaning posture<\/strong> or a visibly hunched back<\/strong>. Such complaints can be caused by kyphosis<\/strong> – an increased curvature of the spine<\/strong>, which can occur particularly in the thoracic spine<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The spine<\/strong> naturally has a double S shape<\/strong>, which enables stability and mobility. This natural spinal profile<\/strong> ensures that loads are evenly distributed when walking, sitting<\/strong> or lifting. There is a slight physiological kyphosis<\/strong> in the thoracic region<\/strong>, while there is a lordosis<\/strong> in the lower part of<\/strong> the lumbar spine<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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However, if this natural curvature<\/strong> increases<\/strong>, doctors speak of hyperkyphosis<\/strong>. This form<\/strong> of curvature<\/strong> can cause pain<\/strong>, restricted movement<\/strong> and a change in posture<\/strong>. Those affected in<\/strong> particular often report dull pain<\/strong> in the thoracic spine<\/strong>, tension in the neck<\/strong> or restrictions in movement. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Early assessment<\/strong> by an experienced doctor<\/strong> is important. This is because the earlier treatment<\/strong> begins, the better long-term complications<\/strong> can be avoided and the stability of the spine<\/strong> maintained. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is kyphosis?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Kyphosis<\/strong> describes a backward curvature of the spine<\/strong>. This form<\/strong> of curvature<\/strong> is initially a normal anatomical variation.<\/strong> In the thoracic spine<\/strong>, it is even part of the natural profile<\/strong> of the spine<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The situation becomes problematic when this curvature<\/strong> increases significantly and hyperkyphosis<\/strong> develops. The spinal profile<\/strong> then changes visibly and the upper body leans forward. In severe cases<\/strong>, a so-called hump<\/strong> or pronounced hunchback<\/strong> develops. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The spine<\/strong> is normally S-shaped<\/strong>. This double curvature<\/strong> provides stability and flexibility at the same time. However, if there is a deviation<\/strong> from this S shape<\/strong>, a misalignment<\/strong> can occur that leads to pain<\/strong> and functional limitations<\/strong> in the long term. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hyperkyphosis<\/strong> particularly frequently affects the thoracic spine (thoracic spine)<\/strong>. In some cases<\/strong>, adjacent sections such as the lumbar spine<\/strong> or the neck<\/strong> can also be affected, which can lead to a complex curvature<\/strong> of the entire spine<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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It is important for patients<\/strong> to know: Not every visible kyphosis<\/strong> is automatically a disease. Many people<\/strong> have slight normal variations<\/strong> that do not require treatment<\/strong>. The decisive factors are the extent<\/strong>, possible symptoms<\/strong> and the underlying causes<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Causes of kyphosis<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There are many causes<\/strong> of kyphosis<\/strong>. In many cases<\/strong>, it is caused by changes in the spine<\/strong>, the vertebral bodies<\/strong> or the back muscles<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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One of the most common causes<\/strong> in adolescence<\/strong> is Scheuermann’s disease<\/strong>, which plays a central role in the orthopaedic treatment of spinal disorders in children<\/a>. This growth disorder<\/strong> of the vertebral bodies<\/strong> causes the spine<\/strong> to curve<\/strong> backwards more in the thoracic spine area<\/strong>. Adolescents<\/strong> and children<\/strong> in particular develop a pronounced hunchback<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Inflammatory diseases<\/strong> can also cause hyperkyphosis<\/strong>. A well-known example is ankylosing<\/strong> spondylitis, also known as ankylosing spondylitis. This chronic disease causes the spine<\/strong> to become increasingly stiff, resulting in a progressive curvature<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Other possible causes<\/strong> are<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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