Dr Adriaan Liebenberg My Spine Lumbar | Page 45

CHAPTER 7 KYPHOSIS AD 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 bending of the spine when viewed from the side. There is no associated twist or sideways deformity. Kyphoscoliosis is a condition 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. 45