Shuermann's disease - a form of Osteochondrosis
A. Current theoretical cause - vascular impairment and trauma coupled
with a genetic predisposition.
B. Three stages
- Avascular necrosis (from vasular impairment)
- Acute inflammation in areas of necrosis
- Healing and repair
C. Affects mostly teenage boys. Inflammation in thoracic intervertebral
joints, Leads to excessive kyphosis.
D. Treatment:
- Maintain mobility
- Modalities for pain and inflammation.
- Exercises to maintain present thoracic kyphosis; avoid worsening,
i.e. thoracic extension exercises.
- Thoracic extension orthotic
Extracted from THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON
"I would like to offer a new addition to your site. I am 49
years old and just had surgery (Nov.27) and had 12 vertebres fused
and rods attached. My diagnosis was Sheurmann's Kyphosis. I know
this is rare, but I know I am not the only person with it. I would
like to help anyone else out there that I can who may have questions.
There is very little information on the web.
I live in the Los Angeles area. I went to USC, UCLA and finally
found a Dr. at Cedar Sinai Institute of Spinal Disorders. They knew
what I had at the first visit, after looking at my MRI. We still
went through more tests and I know when the Dr. finally decided
on surgery, he consulted a Dr. in Moscow and New York, who have
operated on an adult with Scheurmann's Kyphosis. From what I understand
this a disorder that happens to young boys. That is what makes this
more unusal."
Because of my age, MRI's did not exsist when I was young. I have
had symptoms (now that I look back) with my Thorasis back most of
my adult years. By the time the pain got so bad mainly in my ribs
and then in my back and neurological problems to much damage had
already been done. When I first had my MRI 3 years ago, I was diagnosed
with Syringomyelia, which I do have, but minor, due to the kyphosis.
The Sheurmann's kyphosis, over time, destroyed 5 discs and stretched
my spinal cord so tight that the fluid was not pumping and caused
blisters and cysts in my spinal cord. To correct the problem they
fused T2 to L2 and I have 2-17inch- 1/4 inch round stainless steel
rods and all of the hardware to keep it together. I am young for
my age(50 in April) and plan on ! recovering and continuing with
my life. My husband has MS and we have 3 daughters 19,12 & 7. We
have been married 25 years and still are best friends. I have a
great support group and have alot to live for.
I have the luxury in the US to have great insurance and the some
of the best Dr's. I know there are people that are not as lucky.
I admire people like you who reach out to help everyone with back
problems. You do a great service.
Melinda Davis
