What are the measurements of normal vs. abnormal kyphosis?
The degree of normal kyphosis is usually considered to be between 20 and 40 degrees. Once the curvature approaches 45 to 50 degrees or more, we’d consider that abnormal. Q: Where along the spine does abnormal kyphosis occur? A: It can occur anywhere-in the cervical area, the thoracic area, or the lumbar area, but most often we see it in the thoracic or chest area which is naturally rounded to begin with. Q: Is kyphosis as common as scoliosis? A: Not at all. The incidence of scoliosis is roughly 2 in 100, whereas the incidence of kyphosis is approximately 1 in 1,000. Q: Tell us about a variation on normal kyphotic development that you see in your practice. A: Quite often, we see adolescents with “postural roundback,” which is confused with abnormal kyphosis. ‘I’m sure your readers have seen teenagers slouching or hunched over. They have poor posture, but no deformity; when you ask them to stand straight, they’re able to straighten up, and if you take an x-ray, you see that their spines
