Scheuermann’s disease

Scheuermann’s disease is a self-limiting skeletal disorder ( deformity in thoracic or thoracolumbar spine) of childhood. Scheuernann’s disease refers to osteochondritis of the secondary ossification centers of the vertebral bodies.

The condition was originally described by Holger Werfel Scheuermann, who stated that the diagnosis was established if there was wedging of vertebral bodies, in association with other changes, including inetrverebral disc space narrowing, Schmorl’s nodes, and deformity.
The progress may be limited to several bodies or may involve the entire dorsal or lumbar spine.
The seventh and tenth thoracic vertebrae are most commonly affected. It causes backache and spinal curvature.

Patients suffering with Scheuermann’s kyphosis cannot consciously correct their posture.
The apex of their curve is quite rigid. The sufferer may feel pain at this apex, which can be aggravated by physical activity and by long periods of standing or sitting.

In very serious cases it may cause internal problems and spinal cord damage, but these cases are extremly rare.

An X-ray is usually required to confirm the diagnosis of Scheuermann’s disease. If an X-ray demonstrates wedging of 5 degrees or more at three adjacent vertebrae , than diagnosis of Scheuermann’s disease is made.

Conservative treatment at Sulypont Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic:
Wheile there is no explanation for the causes Scheuermann’s disease, there are ways to treat it.
Physical therapy, Schroth terapy can help reverse or stop the kyphosis before it does become severe. In Europe a standard treatment for Scheuermann’s disease is the Schroth method, a system of specialized physical therapy for scoliosis and related spine deformities.

The Schoth terapy has been shown to reduce pain and decrease kyphotic angle significantly during an inpatient treatment program.(Weiss HR, Dieckmann J, Gerner H J(2002) „Effect of intensive rehabilitation or pain in patients with Scheuermann’s diesase” Sud Health Technol Inform 88: 254-7)