“What's the difference between scoliosis and kyphosis?”
I'm 30 years old, and my doctor diagnosed me a spine curvature disorder called kyphosis. I thought it was similar to scoliosis, but he told me that they were different disorders. Can you explain to me what makes them different?
5 Answers
Yes. Scoliosis is a curvature to the side when looking from the back. Kyphosis is a curve when looking from the side.
The terms both describe abnormal curve patterns in the spine. They can range from very mild, almost unnoticeable, to more severe, possibly requiring surgery at some point. The terms have to do with the direction the spine curves. Think of standing behind someone and looking at their back. Kyphosis is just an accentuated straight forward bend in the upper back (thoracic) region. Scoliosis is an S shaped curve, right to left or left to right, and can be in the upper back or lower back (lumbar) region, or involve both. Working on posture can improve kyphosis when mild; scoliosis is not usually correctable without surgery, but is only needed when severe.
It’s the plane of the deformity. Scoliosis is a curve looking from the back. Kyphosis is a curve looking from the side.
The plane of excess curvature. Scoliosis is side to side while kyphosis is in the opposite plane causing a humpback deformity often seen with osteoporosis. Both deformities typically require observation only.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Kyphosis is actually a perfectly normal condition in which the spine bends forward. Hyperkyphosis is when the spine bends forward more than normal. Scoliosis is a spinal condition that presents as a lateral bend in the spine along with vertebrae that have twisted out of normal alignment.
