Dr. Eck received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Catholic University of America in Biomedical Engineering, followed by a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University. Following this he worked as a research engineer conducting spine biomechanics research. He then attended medical school at University of Health Sciences. He is board eligible in orthopaedic surgery.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
What causes abnormal kyphosis? What are the types of kyphosis?
There are three main types of abnormal kyphosis: postural kyphosis,
Scheuermann's kyphosis, and congenital kyphosis.
Postural kyphosis is the most common type of kyphosis. This is more common in
girls than in boys and is typically first noticed during adolescence. It is
caused by poor posture and a weakening of the muscles and ligaments in the back
(paraspinous muscles). The vertebrae are typically shaped normally in postural
kyphosis. It is often slow to develop and usually does not continue to become
progressively worse with time. These patients can have symptoms of pain and
muscle fatigue. This type of kyphosis does not lead to a severe curve with a
risk of neurologic, cardiac, or pulmonary problems.
Scheuermann's kyphosis also is first noticed during adolescence. This type of
kyphosis is the result of a structural deformity of the vertebrae. It is more
common to develop scoliosis (kyphoscoliosis) with Scheuermann's kyphosis than with the other types of kyphosis. The
diagnosis requires X-rays to show a wedge of at least 5 degrees at the front of
at least three neighboring vertebral bodies. The reason for this abnormal
wedging of the vertebrae is not well understood.
Congenital kyphosis is the least common type of abnormal kyphosis. This is
caused by an abnormal development of the vertebrae during development prior to
birth. This can lead to several of the vertebrae growing together (fusing) in
kyphosis.
There are other disorders that can lead to kyphosis in adults. The most
common of these is from sustaining multiple compression fractures of the bony
building blocks of the spine (vertebrae) from
osteoporosis. Other causes
include degenerative arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, spine infections, and spine tumors. Each of these disorders can lead to a
collapse of the front of the vertebrae and the development of kyphosis.
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of
arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout,
and pseudogout.
Learn about osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. Unless one experiences a fracture, a person may have osteoporosis for decades without knowing it. Treatment for osteoporosis may involve medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength and bone formation, as well as quitting smoking, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol intake, and eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich balanced diet.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine. The tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is genetically inherited.
Scoliosis causes an abnormal curvature of the spine. When the cause of scoliosis is unknown the disorder is described based on the age when the scoliosis develops (infantile, juvenile, or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis). In functional scoliosis, curvature develops due to a problem somewhere else in the body. With neuromuscular scoliosis, there is a problem when the bones of the spine are formed. Treatment typically involves observation, bracing, and surgery and is dependent upon the severity of the curvature.
A common form of short stature, achondroplasia (dwarfism) is a genetic condition causing a disorder of bone growth. Complications of achondroplasia that need monitoring include (this is not all inclusive) stenosis and compression of the spinal cord, a large opening under the skull, lordosis, kyphosis, spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, middle ear infections, obesity, and dental crowning. Achondroplasia is caused by mutations of the FGFR3 gene.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle.
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