Is it a Simple Case of Slouching or is it Scheuermann’s Disease?

by Samuel Bederman MD, PhD
Orange County Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Slouching, hunching forward or rounded back is often considered just poor posture.  In many cases, it is the result of a rarely recognized condition called SCHEUERMANN’S DISEASE.  Similar to Scoliosis, Scheuermann’s Disease is a structural exaggerated forward curvature in children and adolescents that can progress into adulthood.

Slouching is often mistaken for poor posture which is flexible and corrects with standing more upright.  Scheuermann’s disease is a structural abnormality that develops during adolescent growth. It causes the vertebra of the spine to be wedge shaped and results in a slouched appearance.   The cause of this condition is unknown.  It can result in pain, progressively worsening posture, nerve or spinal cord compromise, and even concerns for heart and lung problems.  Non-surgical treatment includes physical therapy and bracing or non-rigid postural correcting athletic shirts.  In some cases, surgery is considered for persistent pain, unacceptable deformity, or neurological problems.  Robotic surgery has improved safety and accuracy of surgery in this condition.

Preoperative photo of patient with severe kyphosis (slouching) secondary to Scheuermann’s disease. B) Preoperative x-ray of the same patient. C) Postoperative photos of the same patient one year after surgical correction of the kyphosis. There is correction of the round back appearance. D) Postoperative x-ray of the same patient.

For more information about Scheuermann’s Disease:

http://www.srs.org/patients-and-families/conditions-and-treatments/parents/kyphosis/developmental-kyphosis

About Orange County Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Dr. Samuel Bederman:

Dr. Samuel Bederman is a double-fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon practicing at Restore Orthopedics and Spine Center in Orange County. Dr. Bederman received his medical degree from the University of Toronto before moving on to his residency in Orthopedic Surgery. He then became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada in Orthopaedic Surgery and also studied at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia. After completing his fellowship, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in health services research and clinical epidemiology at the University of Toronto. Soon after, Dr. Bederman returned for his second clinical fellowship specializing in scoliosis, spinal deformities and revision spinal surgery at the University of California at San Francisco.

Dr. Bederman specializes in adult and pediatric scoliosis, robotic spine surgery, complex revision cervical, thoracic, and lumbar surgery, and minimally invasive spinal surgery. Dr. Bederman is passionate about spine education and has taught as Assistant Professor at the University of California at San Francisco, Stanford University, as well as at the University of California at Irvine. He has trained dozens of surgeons in the techniques of Robotic Spine Surgery around the country.

He has spoken on spinal surgery at society meetings all around the world and authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.  He is a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, the North American Spine Society, the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, AO Spine North America, the American Orthopaedic Association, and the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

To view a list of Samuel Bederman’s impressive contributions to spine health research and education presenting professional articles, publications and speaking engagements to national and international audiences, click HERE

Dr. Bederman sees local as well as international patients.  Consultations can be made by calling 714.598.1745