The upper region of the spine between the shoulder blades has a natural slight curve. This curve helps absorb shock and supports the weight of the head. Because of gravitational forces, when this curve shape becomes too angled due to congenital malformation, arthritis, degenerative disease, or injury the upper spine, the vertebrae become weak and are prone to fracture. Fractured vertebrae in the upper back become wedge-shaped causing an increased curvature of more than 40 degrees. Kyphosis, commonly referred to as “hunchback,” is the resulting spinal disorder. It is identified by an excessive forward bend limited to the upper region of the spine.

Patients with kyphosis usually have what appears to be a hump on their upper back. In actuality, it is the area of excessive spine curvature. When left untreated, kyphosis can lead to excessive pressure exerted on the spinal cord, resulting in painful symptoms. More importantly from an overall health aspect, kyphosis places the spine into an unnatural and unbalanced alignment, preventing the spine’s muscles from performing their natural function. With aging, the vertebrae have a tendency to fracture and become wedged shaped vertebra. In some instances, these fractures from kyphosis can become so severe that patients lose the ability to use their neck muscle so as to lift up their head. Consequently, they are committed to a life of only looking at the ground unless they have major spinal deforminy reconstructive surgery.

Patients living in Sparta, New Jersey who slouch or notice the rounding of their shoulders may have undiagnosed kyphosis. Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine, and Orthopedics’s elite team of board-certified neurosurgeons has the solution for patients seeking pain relief from kyphosis and other spinal deformities. A same day procedure, called arthroplasty, can cure the cause of mild kyphosis. Severe kyphosis can also be resolved by our highly skilled spine neurosurgeons.