Degenerative Kyphosis

Degenerative kyphosis is a condition of the aging spine. When the spine ages, the discs commonly settle. When this occurs in the upper back, patients can become slumped forward in their posture. When it occurs in the low back, patients develop a stooped-forward posture. In either case, degenerative kyphosis usually leads to significant back pain and can also be associated with spinal stenosis or nerve compression.

Conservative care for this condition can include physical therapy to improve flexibility. Patients are encouraged to be as active as they can be, and to adopt a daily exercise program to build flexibility and strength in the trunk muscles.

When conservative care is not effective and pain is a significant problem, surgical solutions can be entertained. Patients must be in generally good health, and a full medical work-up including MRI and XRay imaging is performed.

When surgery is indicated, all areas of the spine with significant nerve compression are addressed by removing the bone spurs causing the nerves to be pinched. New generation multi-planar adjusting screws (Medtronic) can be placed in the spine to gently and gradually reduce and effectively correct the slumping-forward posture, and lock it in a new straighjtened, normal spinal contour.

The results with surgery in patients with degenerative kyphosis and lumbar flat back are often life-changing for patients. It is not unusual to have patients regain energy, stamina, strength, and social confidence in addition to getting rid of significant pain when their degenerative kyphosis is addressed surgically.