Cervical Kyphosis: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

One of the features that enhances quality of life and enables a comfortable daily life is having a healthy musculoskeletal system. Problems in the components of our musculoskeletal system, including our bones, joints, and muscles, due to various health issues, can severely affect our daily lives. One of the conditions encountered in this regard is cervical kyphosis.

What is Cervical Kyphosis?

Cervical kyphosis, or neck straightening, is a condition in which the natural curve of the cervical spine (the neck part of the spine) in healthy individuals flattens due to various influences, leading to specific symptoms. Problems with the vertebrae, other bones, muscles, and ligaments in the cervical region of our spine can result in a deformation of the neck’s shape.

In a healthy body, the spine shows four separate curvatures from the skull to the tailbone. These curves are described as lordosis and kyphosis, depending on whether they are concave or convex. Specifically, the cervical region has lordosis, the thoracic region has kyphosis, the lumbar region has lordosis, and the sacral region has kyphosis. When these curves are excessive or reduced, skeletal system problems may emerge along with various complaints.

How Does Cervical Kyphosis Develop?

The normal lordotic curvature in the cervical region can gradually straighten and reverse direction due to various health problems affecting the bones, joints, muscles, or ligaments in this area, leading to cervical kyphosis. Initially, the complaint of neck straightening may develop, but as the condition progresses, the neck begins to bend in the opposite direction, and kyphosis develops.

Abnormal development of the musculoskeletal system elements during the growth phase, deformities in bones, damage to the vertebrae, structural breakdown, or external physical trauma can damage the cervical skeleton's structure and cause its shape to deform into a kyphotic direction.

What Causes Cervical Kyphosis?

Cervical kyphosis can develop due to the impact of various diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system components in this area. In this context, cervical kyphosis may develop due to the following health issues:

Poor Posture: Abnormal neck and body posture during childhood can negatively affect spinal development, causing the curvature in the neck to develop in the kyphosis direction.

Developmental Issues of the Spine: Various congenital developmental disorders can arise in the spine, such as scoliosis (a curvature of the spine in an S-shape), spinal kyphosis (hunchback), or spinal lordosis. Cervical kyphosis can accompany these disorders.

Abnormally Shaped Vertebrae: Abnormal development of cervical vertebrae can prevent the natural curvature from forming.

Degenerative Disc Diseases: As a result of aging or other health conditions, the discs between the vertebrae can deteriorate, leading to deformations in the shape of the spine.

Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis, particularly in older adults or women during menopause, can weaken the cervical vertebrae, causing them to bend or fracture in the kyphosis direction.

Trauma: External physical trauma can cause damage to bones, muscles, or ligaments, leading to cervical straightening. Also, overstretching and injuries to the neck muscles and ligaments can lead to cervical kyphosis.

Cancer: Bone tumors or metastasis of other types of cancer in the bones can disrupt the structure of the spine, leading to cervical kyphosis.

Muscular Dystrophies: In conditions where muscle structure and development are impaired, such as muscular dystrophy, cervical kyphosis can develop due to the involvement of the neck muscles.

Paget's Disease: Paget's disease, which is characterized by abnormal acceleration of bone formation and breakdown, can lead to deformities of the cervical vertebrae and the straightening of the neck curvature due to these shape abnormalities.

Neurofibromatosis: In neurofibromatosis, which is characterized by tumor development and deformities in various parts of the body, the anatomical structure of the neck can be affected, leading to straightening.

Iatrogenic Conditions: Cervical kyphosis can develop as a result of damage to the spine during other medical procedures. In particular, cervical kyphosis can develop after spinal surgeries.

What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Kyphosis?

Cervical kyphosis can lead to various clinical symptoms due to disruptions in the anatomical structure and function of the neck. The bending of the spine, especially with compression on the spinal cord, can lead to neurological symptoms. The following complaints are commonly seen in cases of cervical kyphosis:

• Neck pain
• Limited neck movements
• Weakness
• Muscle weakness in the neck
• Loss of sensation, tingling, or electrical sensation in the hands or arms
• Back pain
• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Limited upward gaze
• Paralysis on one side of the body
• Difficulty urinating or defecating

How Is Cervical Kyphosis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of cervical kyphosis starts with a detailed patient history and physical examination. The doctor evaluates the patient's body balance and neck movements and may examine the neck anatomy manually.

After the examination, further imaging such as cervical X-rays, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to analyze the anatomy in more detail and determine the appropriate treatment approach. Any additional health conditions the patient may have are assessed, and if necessary, further laboratory tests are conducted.

The diagnosis of cervical kyphosis is made by evaluating the findings from the doctor's examination and imaging results together. Based on parameters such as the severity of the patient's complaints, quality of life, clinical condition, and anatomical status, the doctor informs the patient about the suitable treatment methods, and the treatment plan is determined together with the patient.

How Is Cervical Kyphosis Treated?

Since cervical kyphosis can arise from a variety of causes and manifest with different clinical pictures in each patient, the treatment approach varies according to the individual. Treatment planning depends on the severity of the patient's clinical condition and the underlying cause. Therefore, before treatment, the patient should be evaluated by a specialist doctor, a detailed medical history should be taken, a thorough physical examination should be conducted, and if necessary, additional imaging and laboratory tests should be performed. Based on the data obtained, the most appropriate treatment method can be planned.

In the initial stage of treatment, physical medicine methods are preferred. In this context, orthopedic bands, equipment, and braces for the neck may be recommended by the doctor. Physical therapy, including various neck exercises, neck traction, and massages, is beneficial in strengthening the muscles in the area, alleviating spinal pressure symptoms, and organizing the bone structures.

To alleviate symptoms, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antispasmodic medications may be prescribed. These medications do not eliminate cervical kyphosis, but they help improve the patient's quality of life.

The main treatment for cervical kyphosis is surgical intervention. The goal of surgery is to relieve pressure on the tissues affected by cervical kyphosis, correct abnormal curvature, reorganize the anatomy of the cervical vertebrae, and correct deformities.

The type and decision for surgery are made specifically for each patient. In other words, depending on the severity of the straightening and the patient's anatomical structure, surgery may be performed from the front or back of the neck. In some cases, part of the vertebrae may be removed, or stabilization may be required with equipment such as plates and screws. Since the surgical area is close to the spinal cord, spinal nerves, and large blood vessels, cervical kyphosis surgeries are considered high-risk procedures. In this regard, the experience of the surgeon plays a significant role in the success of the surgery. After surgery, the patient may need to use neck braces or appropriate equipment for a certain period and follow up with physical therapy methods.

In addition to these treatments, the patient can improve their symptoms through various methods in daily life. These include avoiding straining the neck, resting, positioning the neck correctly during sleep, applying cold or heat, and using ergonomic products in work life or daily activities.