Our spine, even if we talk about its normal state, is not even. It shows several bends at once, both forward and backward, and they are not pathological, but are characterized as compensatory. As for the bulge back, it is called kyphosis. It is located both in the thoracic and in the sacral zone of the spine. If this bulge is excessive, then it makes sense to talk about a hump on the back.
Why does he appear? How can it be detected? What he alth problems can such a severe violation of posture lead to? What methods of treatment and prevention exist today? We will answer these and other related questions below.
How is this happening?
A person with a hump, of course, does not always have such a defect from birth. In most cases, this excessive postural disorder occurs for two reasons:
- Curvature of the spine itself.
- Changes in the soft tissues surrounding the spine.
How does curvature of the spine develop here? It is mostly a consequence of pathological kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis. This is where the zone shift occurs.spinal column somewhat to the side, which is then accompanied by rotation (that is, rotation) of the vertebrae around its own axis. As a result, their spinous parts shift and protrude backward, forming a hump on their back.
Both fractures and fracture-dislocations of the vertebrae often lead to the appearance of such a defect. Most often, a wedge-shaped deformity of the bodies of several neighboring vertebrae is noted. In this case, the front of the vertebra seems to be crushed, as a result of which its body forms an almost triangular shape. This is a consequence of pathological, traumatic fractures, some diseases of the spine, as well as congenital pathologies of its formation.
A person with a hump does not always suffer from a vertebrogenic defect. A semblance of a hump can also be created by a strong stoop. Excessive kyphosis in the upper, thoracic, spine here disappears only with certain muscular efforts. Or when taking a horizontal position of the body. This is what distinguishes a person with a hump (which is permanent) from a person with a strong stoop (a temporary phenomenon).
It is necessary to single out such a pathology as a hump, which is in no way connected with vertebral problems and diseases. This defect can develop both with deformation of the muscle tissue on the back, and with pathological changes in the subcutaneous fat.
Reason for condition
Why does the hump grow? Let's imagine the main signs of the formation of a vertebrogenic defect (associated with the curvature of the spinal column):
- Neurological diseasesand pathologies that can lead to paralysis of the muscles of the trunk.
- Scheuermann's disease - Mau. Also known as juvenile dorsal kyphosis. There is sclerosis of the vertebrae and their subsequent deformation.
- Violation of posture (ICD-10 lists several diseases of this group). It is diagnosed together with an underdeveloped muscular corset most often in school-age children.
- A form of osteoporosis, conducive to compression pathological fractures. Both age-related and caused by Itsenko-Cushing syndrome/disease.
- Tuberculosis of the spine, leading to the destruction of the vertebral bodies.
- Infectious diseases resulting in bone melting.
- Fractures of the vertebral bodies in locations of multiple metastases or primary tumors of the spine, large-scale hemangiomas.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, which is accompanied by fusion and ossification of the vertebrae.
- A complex form of rickets suffered in childhood, which later led to softening of the bone tissue and its subsequent deformation.
- Degenerative-dystrophic pathological changes in the spine, including osteochondrosis.
- Various pathologies, connective tissue diseases that cause a change in the supporting abilities of the paravertebral ligaments.
- Congenital anomalies in the structure of the vertebrae.
- The consequences of various spinal injuries.
A person with a hump could acquire this defect both for one of the listed reasons, and for their combination. But that's not allreasons for the formation of a hump.
Specific reasons
Poor posture (coded M40-M43 in the ICD-10) or other problems associated with the spine are not the only factors in the formation of a hump. Consider other, not so rare:
- Inflammatory or degenerative changes in muscle tissue. Their cause is repetitive, systematic microtrauma. The latter often occur with irrational, excessive physical exertion. This condition is called myogelosis. And it becomes the cause of the formation of a hump slightly less often than the deformation of the thoracic spine. Oddly enough, people who lead an active lifestyle suffer from such a problem - bodybuilders and professional athletes.
- The appearance of a number of benign neoplasms in the region of the cervicothoracic zone of the spine. In particular, the appearance of a large atheroma or a growing lipoma.
- Among people with a hump on their backs, there are often women of pre- and postmenopausal age. Why? Due to a decrease in the production of female sex hormones, a redistribution and a change in the state of subcutaneous fat occur. As a result of this, a rather dense fatty roller is formed in the region of the 7th cervical vertebra. It is interesting that earlier it was called "widow". This is due to the fact that it appeared in women of advanced age (often by this time the spouse had already died).
What problems does this cause?
Even in the modern world, humpbacked people are becomingobject of increased attention, and even discussions, ridicule. What turns into moral suffering for the patient himself. But in addition to a depressed emotional state, this defect is fraught with serious problems with physical he alth:
- Progressive curvature of the spine in the cervical region leads to deformity of the chest in general. And this is the reason for squeezing the mediastinal organs, reducing the volume of the lungs. It can also lead to a violation of cardiac activity.
- Hunchback people have reduced stamina. There is also a tendency to bronchial, pulmonary diseases, as the deformation infringes, squeezes them.
- Change in the normal distance between the vertebrae causes compression (or compression) of the spinal canals. In addition, the narrowing of the spinal canal can lead to compression of the spinal cord. This is fraught with chronic pain, impaired sensitivity in the lower half of the body, weakness, and even muscle paralysis.
- In the event that the deformation of the cervical region occurs (or when various compressive formations appear in this area - lipomas or atheromas), the patency of important vertebral arteries may be impaired. This is the name of a paired vessel that goes up in a special canal between the vertebrae. Its main purpose is to supply blood to the posterior parts of the brain. When squeezing these arteries, the patient may suffer from headaches, dizziness, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms.
What should I do?
Firstturn, we note that there is no such disease - "hump on the back." It can be either a deformation of the spine, or a change in muscle tissue, a neoplasm. And all this is a consequence of certain conditions, diseases, pathologies, and not an independent disease.
If you find suspicious seals on your back, feel strong changes, curvature of the spine, in no case should you ignore the problem or self-medicate. You need to determine the cause of this condition, which will help fight the consequences.
First of all, you need to contact one of these specialists:
- Therapist.
- Surgeon.
- Orthopedist.
- Vertebrologist.
- Neurologist.
You will either be referred immediately for diagnostic tests, or redirected to a specialist who treats your specific problem. You should especially not hesitate if you find a hump on the back of children!
Diagnostic measures
The first type of diagnosis, of course, will be a visual examination of the patient. But to understand whether the hump on the back is from scoliosis or from another reason, only the following examinations will help:
- Computed tomography, x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging. These are the second diagnostic measures in order. In most cases, they clarify the clinical picture. If not, the next examinations are scheduled.
- Biopsy, puncture, scintigraphy or EMG.
- Laboratory studies to determine the state of the hormonal background, mineralmetabolism in the body, as well as general indicators of the presence of inflammation and various rheumatoid factors.
Therapeutic interventions
Is it possible to remove the hump on the back? It is impossible to give a definite answer to such a question. It depends on many factors at once - the nature, the cause of the formation of this defect, the stage of the disease, the causes that aggravate the patient's condition, and the individual characteristics of the organism. However, in any case, the patient must undergo complex treatment. It is divided into two directions:
- Symptomatic measures. Elimination of pain syndrome, reduction of the severity of symptoms that torment a person.
- Treatment of the underlying disease that caused the hump.
With the help of only prescribed drugs, of course, it will not be possible to eliminate the formation in most cases. If this is an excessive curvature of the spine, then it is impossible to eliminate it without changing the position and correcting the shape of the deformed vertebrae. Medicines, physiotherapy, gymnastic exercises will not be able to provide this.
As for children and adolescents, it is easier to remove the hump on the back than in adults. In the event that the defect is caused by kyphosis and is not yet accompanied by displacement of the vertebrae, systematic therapeutic intensive gymnastics is prescribed. It not only corrects posture, but also allows you to strengthen the muscle corset. This eventually corrects excessively crooked posture.
Surgery
In certain cases, surgery is indispensable:
- Expressed andprogressive curvature of the spinal column.
- Intense persistent pain syndrome, tormenting the patient.
- Signs of spinal cord compression.
- The cause of the hump, not related to the curvature of the spine, is atheromas and lipomas.
Medicated treatment
Once again, we note that in most cases it is impossible to eliminate the hump with medication alone. Especially if its appearance is caused by a curvature of the spine. But the role of drugs in treatment should not be underestimated either. They help to cope with inflammation, pain syndrome, reduce the severity of various neurological disorders. Medications can stabilize the patient's condition, stop the progression of the disease.
The purpose of certain remedies is based on the causes of pain experienced by the patient:
- Muscular tonic syndrome.
- Injured nerve roots.
- An active inflammatory process affecting the spine.
- Compression fracture of the vertebral bodies.
Depending on this, the following drugs may be prescribed:
- Non-steroidal painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Trophic and vascular preparations.
- Muscle relaxants.
- B vitamins.
- Corticosteroids.
If an infectious lesion of the spine was detected, then antibacterial agents are additionally prescribed. For tuberculosis of the spine, additional treatmentsupervised by a phthisiatrician, special drugs are prescribed. In the presence of purulent acute processes, one drug treatment will no longer be enough - urgent surgical intervention is required.
The most serious treatment is prescribed when a pathological fracture of the spinal column is detected. Here, the hormonal background in the patient's body, mineral metabolism is necessarily corrected.
When a fracture is caused by malignant tumors or their metastases, chemotherapy is mandatory. The patient is also observed by the oncologist.
Problem Prevention
Since there are a lot of reasons for the formation of a hump, it is impossible to talk about general preventive advice. Even physical education, an active lifestyle in one condition can be beneficial, and in another it can be harmful and contribute to a more active formation of the hump.
Here are the tips doctors give as a preventative measure for this problem:
- Do not ignore any unpleasant, incomprehensible symptom in the back, spine - systematic pains of a different nature, a feeling of heaviness, burning, etc. Be sure to consult a specialist!
- As for children and adolescents, it is necessary to convey to them how important it is to control posture, to sit correctly at the table during lessons and at home. Scoliosis and a hump on the back is a cause and effect. If there are no serious contraindications, the child should be introduced to an active life, sports, morning exercises that help train the muscle corset, correct posture.
- Womenretirement age, a kind of hump is often formed due to the fat layer. This is a hormonal formation. Therefore, a woman should not miss preventive examinations at the gynecologist, endocrinologist, listen to the advice of specialists.
- As for all people in old age, due to a sedentary lifestyle, they may form s alt deposits on their backs, mistaken for a hump. Turn to occasional walks, Nordic walking, skiing, therapeutic exercises to the best of your ability so as not to run into a problem.
- If you are actively, professionally involved in sports, visit the gym, act according to an individual program drawn up by a trainer. Do not expose yourself to excessive loads that lead to myogelosis. Including the dangerous formation of a hump.
- The problem may haunt patients with osteochondrosis. For its prevention, you should choose an orthopedic mattress and pillow, take a course of therapeutic massage several times a year.
A hump on the back is not a disease. This is a consequence of a wide variety of diseases and conditions with which we have become acquainted. Accordingly, treatment, prevention for each of them will be specific.
