Kyphosis (Hunchback) of the Spine

Kyphosis at a Glance

Kyphosis, commonly called a hunched back, is an excessive forward curve of the upper spine that can affect posture, balance and movement.

Symptoms include: Rounded shoulders, back pain, stiffness or fatigue after standing or walking.
Causes include: Poor posture, osteoporosis, spinal fractures or developmental conditions.
Many cases of kyphosis can improve with physical therapy or bracing, while more severe cases may require surgery.
When to see an orthopedic specialist: If symptoms are severe, persistent, worsening or limiting daily activities.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute provides advanced diagnosis and treatment options for patients with spine pain.

What is Kyphosis of the Spine?

Kyphosis of the spine is an abnormal upper-back rounding. The condition is sometimes referred to as “dowager’s hump,” “hunchback,” or “roundback.” Kyphosis of the spine causes a pronounced forward curvature of the spine. It can occur at any age but is most common in older women.

Most spinal kyphosis patients have few symptoms other than spinal deformity and require little or no treatment. More severe cases of kyphosis can result in debilitating pain, weakness, and trouble breathing. Breathing issues are caused by reduce space within the chest and reduced rib cage mobility reducing lung expansion.

Causes of Kyphosis of the Spine

Posture
Age Related
Structural Abnormalities
Injury
Bone Growth abnormalities
Congenital
Osteoporosis / Osteopenia
Microfractures

Symptoms of Kyphosis of the Spine

Symptoms of kyphosis vary from patient to patient, but may include:

Rounded shoulders
Head forward posture
Obvious hump on the back “humpback”
Mid to upper back pain
Fatigue
Stiffness
Tight muscles in the back of the thighs (hamstrings)

In some cases, severe kyphosis can compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This is most common in patients with congenital kyphosis.

Kyphosis of the spine can also impact a person’s quality of life. Falls are a leading cause of disability and death in seniors and kyphosis doubles fall risk. Lower physical performance is common in elderly kyphosis patients because their motion and activity can be affected by this condition.

In a worst-case scenario, severe kyphosis (hunchback) can lead to chest deformity, which in turn affects the heart and lung function. Not only may you have trouble breathing, but this difficulty can lead to heart and/or respiratory failure. The compression from severe kyphosis may also cause gastrointestinal issues.

Types of Kyphosis of the Spine

There are several types of kyphosis:

Postural Kyphosis: This is the most common type of kyphosis. It presents during adolescence. It is considered to be poor posture or slouching and is not associated with significant structural deformities in the spine. This type of kyphosis often improves with exercise.
Age-related Kyphosis: Age-related kyphosis results from osteoporotic vertebral fractures or multilevel disc degeneration. It causes increased spinal curvature. Postmenopausal woman are more commonly affected.
Scheuermann’s Kyphosis: The cause of Scheuermann’s kyphosis is unknown, however, it is associated with significant spinal deformities. With this type of kyphosis, the vertebrae become more wedge shaped with growth. While kyphosis generally affects women more than men, this type of kyphosis is more likely to affect males. Most cases are diagnosed between ages 13 and 16. In teenagers, cosmesis (physical appearance), is also an issue.
Congenital Kyphosis: This type of kyphosis is present at birth and occurs when the spinal column fails to develop normally while the baby is in utero becoming more pronounced as the child grows.

Diagnosing Spinal Kyphosis

Physical Exam: During a physical exam, the doctor will ask the patient to lean forward with both feet together and knees touching as the arms hang free. This enables the orthopedist to view the spinal slope and observe any deformities present.
X-ray Imaging: X-rays may be ordered to visualize the spine from different angles, checking for vertebral changes or other bony abnormalities. The x-rays will be used to measure the forward curvature of the spine.
MRI: Your doctor may order an MRI if appropriate. MRIs are necessary to view discs, spinal cord, and nerves. MRI uses a magnetic field and a computer to create clear, detailed images of spinal structures.
Bone Density Testing: Your doctor may order bone density testing such as a DEXA scan. Osteoporosis and osteopenia are risk factors for compression fractures. These types of fractures can lead to kyphosis.

Kyphosis of the Spine Treatments

It is important to speak with your doctor or spine specialist if experiencing pain or symptoms in order to identify the best treatment options.

Conservative Treatments of Kyphosis:

Monitoring and Imaging: Simple observation by your primary care physician or fellowship trained physician is done to monitor the forward spinal curve in order to see if it is getting worse with time. You may need periodic X-rays done under the supervision of a fellowship trained orthopedist. This is usually the only necessary treatment unless the curve gets worse or the patient experiences significant pain or breathing difficulties.
Physical therapy: Therapy can help relieve back pain, improve posture, strengthen muscles, stretch tight hamstrings, and strengthen body areas that have been negatively impacted by a spinal curvature.

Surgical Treatment of Spinal Kyphosis

Spinal fusion is the most commonly used surgical procedure to treat kyphosis. It can reduce the degree of spinal curvature, maintain the improvement over time, prevent further progression of spinal curvature. Spinal fusion is a procedure that “welds” or fuses together the affected vertebrae together forming a single, solid bone arresting the progression of the curve.

Find a Spine Doctor

When to See a Doctor for Kyphosis of the Spine

See a doctor for diagnosis and treatment if you experience pain from spinal kyphosis or any issues with mobility.
You should also see a doctor for kyphosis if you suspect the spinal curvature is affecting other parts of your body, such as your respiratory system.

If you feel you are experiencing symptoms of kyphosis, you should seek care with your primary care doctor, or consider consulting with a fellowship-trained spine surgeon.

To learn more about our expert Spine surgeons, please call (949) 890-0464

Frequently Asked Questions

Your first visit to Hoag Orthopedic Institute is a chance for you and your spine specialist to get a complete picture of your current back health and goals for recovery. You’ll meet with a board-certified, fellowship-trained back doctor who will listen to your concerns, review any prior imaging or test results, and ask detailed questions about your symptoms and lifestyle. A detailed physical exam may follow to assess your range of motion, strength, and nerve function.
Your back specialist may recommend advanced imaging or additional diagnostic tests available onsite. Together, you’ll discuss what’s causing your pain or mobility limitations and review both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. You’ll leave with a clear and personalized plan designed for your specific needs—and a team ready to support you through each step of your care.
You can connect with one of our qualified spine specialists to review your symptoms, discuss any existing test results, and explore your back treatment options. To schedule your appointment, simply call our scheduling team at (949) 890-0464 or complete the secure request form on our website.
We’ll connect you with the right back doctor for your needs and can help arrange imaging or records before your visit. From the start, you’ll have access to advanced diagnostics and the latest treatments—including the latest techniques for minimally invasive procedures—tailored to your condition and goals.
At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our highly qualified physical therapists, back doctors, and spine surgeons work together to treat a broad range of spine conditions. These include addressing herniated discs, relieving spinal stenosis, and managing degenerative disc disease and scoliosis. Conservative treatments often include targeted physical therapy, image-guided injections to relieve nerve pain, or medications to reduce inflammation.
When surgery is your most effective option, our spine specialists perform procedures including spinal decompression to free compressed nerves, spinal fusion to stabilize the spine, and disc replacement to maintain mobility. Many operations are performed using minimally invasive or robotic-assisted techniques, which combine advanced imaging with precise instrument control to protect surrounding tissues and support a smoother recovery. Our back specialists devise a custom spine plan for each patient, designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help them return to active, pain-free living.
Hoag Orthopedic Institute offers expert care from fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeons, back doctors, and spine specialists who are leaders in their field. Our team also utilizes advanced techniques such as robotic-assisted spine surgery—providing greater surgical planning, accuracy, steadier instrument control, and less disruption to healthy structures for a smoother recovery.
Exceptional technology and an excellent surgical outcome form just part of your experience with our specialized back care. Your orthopedic spine doctor will focus on your total well-being, creating a personalized treatment plan—surgical or non-surgical—to help you move without pain and regain function. From diagnosis through recovery, we’re committed to getting you back to the lifestyle you love, free from the limitations of back pain or dysfunction.

Press Releases

1 /

View All Press Releases