Cervical Kyphosis: What is the cervical spine?

What is the cervical spine?

The seven bones (vertebrae) that make up your cervical spine begin right beneath your skull. In order to prevent the bones from rubbing against one another, discs are located between each vertebra. Your neck is strong and flexible because to a robust network of muscles and ligaments that hold the vertebrae in place.

Your head is supported by your cervical spine, which also permits rotation and movement. Numerous bodily activities, including breathing and upper body movement, are controlled by nerves that branch out from your cervical spine.

What is Cervical Kyphosis?

When your cervical spine is straight or curves towards your front rather than its natural curve towards your back, you have cervical kyphosis, often known as military neck. When severe, it may result in disability, discomfort, and neurological problems. There are both nonsurgical and surgical options for reshaping your spine and reducing pain.

A “C”-shaped curve in the spine is referred to as kyphosis. The “C” in the front of the body is opened by a “kyphosis” curve. The reverse of a “lordotic” curve in the spine is this sort of curve. The entrance of a lordotic curve faces backward. Both kinds of curves are present in the typical spine, but they are not very noticeable. When these curves are larger than usual, they become problematic; the bigger the curve, the more significant the issue. Excessive kyphosis can result from a variety of disorders.

There is typically a kyphotic bend in the thoracic, or mid, part of the spine. Typically, the spine’s curves are expressed in degrees. A 20–40 degree thoracic kyphosis is considered typical. A backward “C” is resembled by the “lordotic” curves of the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) spines, which face the opposite direction.

Shoulders fall forward and provide the appearance of a “hunchback” when the thoracic spine twists out of its usual range. The abnormal condition known as “kyphosis” occurs when the cervical or lumbar spines lose their lordotic form and begin to curve forward instead. Along with an odd appearance, the unusual forward curvature can cause issues inside the spine.

From slight alterations in the curvature of your neck and back to severe deformity, neurologic impairments, and persistent discomfort, kyphosis can present with a wide range of symptoms and severity. Although it can also affect the cervical and lumbar spines, kyphosis is most frequently found in the thoracic spine.

Signs and symptoms

Cervical kyphosis symptoms can vary from a little bother to a serious deformity that, if left untreated, can result in paralysis. If the cervical spine’s degenerative alterations are the cause of the kyphosis, symptoms may include mechanical neck pain. Your neck’s range of motion can be limited. This implies that you might find it difficult to look up for extended periods of time and that you might not be able to fully rotate your neck.

Due to strain on the nerves in the cervical spine, severe kyphosis may cause issues with the spinal cord or nerve roots.This could result in arm or leg weakness, a loss of grip strength, or trouble walking because of leg spasticity. You could struggle to regulate your bowels or bladder. If treatment is not received for really severe cases, paralysis from the neck down may potentially occur.

Causes: Why does cervical kyphosis occur?

Typical reasons include:

The condition known as ankylosing spondylitis causes the vertebrae to fuse together.
When you have degenerative disc disease, the discs between your vertebrae weaken.
Anomalies of the spine that exist from birth.
Spinal tumours.
Damage or trauma to the spine.
Previous spine surgery

Symptoms

Symptoms of cervical kyphosis are not always present. As you age, it’s natural for your cervical spine to straighten somewhat.

The severity of cervical kyphosis determines the symptoms that are experienced. Additionally, symptoms are often associated with spinal cord compression (myelopathy) or pinched nerves (radiculopathy).

Cervical kyphosis symptoms can include:

Reduced head and neck range of motion, as well as a persistent downward look
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.
Headache
Unsteadiness when moving.
Loss of your hands’ fine motor skills.
Weakness in your hands, arms, or shoulders.
Discomfort in your arms, shoulders, back, or neck.
Inadequate control over faeces or urine.
Your hands, arms, or shoulders may feel tingly or numb.

Can cervical kyphosis result from surgery?

After having a laminectomy, both adults and children may experience cervical kyphosis. A laminectomy is a surgical treatment designed to relieve spinal cord compression, which is typically brought on by spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal spaces.

In order to relieve pressure, your surgeon will remove a lamina, or piece of bone. A forward tilt may result in some situations where the treatment alters how your head is supported on the cervical spine. When this happens, your head’s weight moves forward, causing the kyphotic deformity to worsen.

How is the diagnosis of cervical kyphosis made?

In addition to doing a physical examination, your doctor will enquire about your symptoms and medical history. The test will comprise evaluations of your:

Posture, movement, and balance
Reflexes
Power

Your doctor may use the following medical imaging tests to assess whether you have cervical kyphosis:

MRI, CT scan, and X-ray.

Care and Rehabilitation

What is the treatment for cervical kyphosis?

Your doctor will advise nonsurgical treatment for mild cervical kyphosis. Medication, for instance, can aid in lowering inflammation and pain.

Physical therapy techniques like traction or neck exercises can help relieve pain and return the neck curve to its natural state. But not everyone may benefit from this kind of treatment.

Preventive measures

How may cervical kyphosis be avoided?

In many situations, cervical kyphosis cannot be prevented. Consult your doctor about physical therapy and suitable exercise if you suffer from a condition like degenerative disc disease or ankylosing spondylitis. Frequent exercise can improve strength and flexibility, lower discomfort, and stop your spine from getting worse. When sleeping in the supine posture (laying on one’s back), flexion can be reduced by avoiding overly large pillows.

What is the surgical treatment for cervical kyphosis?

Your doctor might suggest surgery if you’re in discomfort or if you’re experiencing neurological symptoms like tingling, muscle weakness, or problems with coordination. Whether your neck is rigid, as in ankylosing spondylitis, or has some flexibility will determine the type of surgery you need. The cervical spine can be repaired by surgeons using a variety of methods, such as:

They enter through the back of your neck in posterior methods.
Approaches from the front, where they reach the area close to your throat.
Merged the anterior and posterior methods.

Surgeons may insert metal plates, rods, or screws, or they may cut or remove Pieces of bone. In general, the objectives of surgery are to:

Relieve the pressure on your nerves and spinal cord.
Restore your spine’s natural shape.
Keep your spine stable.

Prognosis and Outlook

What is the outlook following cervical kyphosis surgery?

Infection, bleeding, blood clots, and anesthesia-related reactions are risks associated with most procedures. Surgery for cervical kyphosis carries an added risk of spinal cord damage. Additionally, because the spine extends from your head to your pelvis, fixing a problem in one area of your spine could cause issues in other areas as well.

The majority of adults and children generally recover successfully from surgery. Reducing pain and other symptoms and realigning your neck can significantly enhance your quality of life.

Will the patient require further follow-up?

Typically, neck surgery necessitates a hospital stay, rest, and restricted mobility. Recovery will be continuously monitored by your provider. Observe the guidelines provided by your healthcare practitioner regarding what you can and cannot do following surgery. You might move more easily and with less pain if you receive physical therapy.

Is it possible to reverse cervical kyphosis?

Cervical kyphosis causes the spine to curve forward, however this can be reversed. In mild circumstances, physical therapy might be a helpful treatment. Surgery can rectify the curved shape of your spine and relieve discomfort if your kyphosis is more severe.

Future Prospects

Customised spinal repair using 3D printed implants
Robotics and intraoperative navigation for accuracy
Techniques that are less harmful to lower morbidity
Regenerative treatments aimed at bone and disc health

In conclusion

As a complex spinal condition, cervical kyphosis requires a complete approach to diagnosis and treatment. To achieve the best results, it is essential to recognise early indications, comprehend the biomechanics, and use careful surgical planning. Long-term prognosis and patient care are improved by a multidisciplinary approach involving radiologists, physiatrists, and neurosurgeons.