About this topic
With Scheuermanns disease, your back starts to round. You may have a hunched posture. The thoracic spine is the part of the spine that runs from the bottom of your neck to the bottom of the rib cage. With this disease, some of the bones in the spine may wedge together. Then, the spine curves forward more than it should. The ligaments get thicker with this problem and they pull the spine forward even more. This disease most often starts before age 11. The earlier treatment starts, the less the chance of needing surgery to fix it. ‚
What are the causes?
It is not known for sure what causes this problem. A few possible causes are: ‚
- Genetic problem
- A problem with the bones being less dense than they should be. This is childhood osteoporosis.
What can make this more likely to happen?
Having a family member who has this problem ‚
What are the main signs?
- Rounding or hunching of the upper back
- Tenderness at the upper back
- Pain is more common when the bend is in the lower part of the thoracic spine
- Back stiffness
- If the curve is bad, the child may have:
- Trouble breathing
- Feeling of being tired
- Pain in the lower back
- Poor appetite
- Chest pain
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor will look at the curves of the back from behind and from the side. The doctor will also feel around the backbone. The doctor may have your child bend and straighten the back to check motion. The doctor may also check the strength and motion in the arms and legs. The doctor may order: ‚
- Blood tests
- X-ray
- CT or MRI scan
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Soon after finding this kind of curve, the doctor may order exercises and physical therapy. If the curve is mild, there may be no other treatment needed. The doctor may just to watch the child over time. ‚
For children who are still growing and for more severe curves, more treatment is needed. Your child may need: ‚
- A brace that fits from the waist to the top of the neck. It keeps the upper back straight and the shoulders back. This is a Milwaukee brace. It is used in children with curves of less than 75 degrees. The brace is worn all the time at first and then only 8 to 12 hours a day as the curve gets better.
- Surgery if there is very bad pain or the curve is more than 60 to 75 degrees. Your child may also need surgery if the spine is done growing. This most often happens when a child is between 14 and 15 years of age.
Are there other health problems to treat?
- Very severe curves of more than 100 degrees may put pressure on the lungs, heart, and bowels. This can cause problems with breathing. Your child may also have chest pain, tiredness, and problems with appetite.
- A curve in the upper back may lead to more of a curve in the lower back in the opposite direction. This can lead to low back pain.
- Children with this disease have more chance of having a herniated disc in the thoracic spine. The disc that acts like a cushion between the spinal bones gets squeezed out of its normal place. It presses on the spinal cord. This could cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs. Your child may also have bowel or bladder problems.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
You cannot prevent this problem. ‚
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00423 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚