Dr Adriaan Liebenberg My Spine Explained | Page 46

CHAPTER 8
KYPHOSIS AND SCOLIOSIS
What is it?
The spine normally has a straight alignment when viewed from behind and
three curves when viewed from the side. The neck (cervical) is lordotic, or
curved with the concavity at the back, the chest area (thoracic) is curved in a
forward direction, and the lower back (lumbar) is curved once again towards
the back.
Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity where the spine has an abnormal
curvature when viewed from behind. This sideways curving and twisting
(rotation) of the spine can result in chest and waist deformity, and the align-
ment of the shoulder and waist is often altered.
Kyphosis is purely an excessive forward curve when viewed from the side.
There is no associated twist or sideways deformity. Kyphoscoliosis is a con-
dition that comprises both kyphosis and scoliosis.
What causes it?
There are many causes that can lead to these spinal deformities. They may be
due to a birth defect (congenital) where one or more vertebrae fail to develop
normally, resulting in asymmetrical growth. Kyphosis is frequently seen in
infective conditions of the spine such as tuberculosis where the front part of
the spine (vertebral bodies) is destroyed and collapses, resulting in the for-
ward curved position.
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