Kyphosis and Lordosis

Abstract

Kyphosis is an increasingly important condition which has interested spinal surgeons for many decades. As scoliosis has become better understood, more difficult spinal deformities in the form of kyphosis have become apparent. Kyphosis is the major deformity that can produce paraplegia if it progresses to a significant degree and is untreated. In contradistinction to scoliosis, in which bracing and posterior fusion are usually quite sufficient, kyphosis sometimes responds well to bracing and in certain instances does not. When surgical treatment is necessary, in early cases it can require posterior fusion, but in some cases it requires both an anterior and a posterior approach. The purpose of this chapter is to give a review of the various etiologies of kyphosis and the current status of management of the problems encountered by the kyphotic patient and his surgeon.