Dorsal hypercyphosis

Edited by Dr. De Domenico Giuseppe

The column
vertebral Hypercyphosis: evaluation e
treatment Treatment in the gym

The spinal column

The vertebral column or rachis is an osteoarthromuscular formation formed by overlapping and articulated bone segments, the vertebrae, and is located dorsally in the trunk.
In it they distinguish four segments o "strokes"which correspond to the four parts into which the trunk is divided:

1. The cervical tract, formed by seven cervical vertebrae in which the first of them articulates with the occipital bone, which belongs to the skull, while the last articulates with the first of the thoracic vertebrae.
2. The thoracic tract, consisting of twelve thoracic vertebrae with which the ribs are articulated.
3. The lumbar spine it consists, instead, of five lumbar vertebrae, the last of which joins the sacrum.
4. The pelvic tract of the vertebral column has a different constitution than that of the parts that precede it; it is, in fact, formed by two bones, the sacrum and the coccyx, which derive from the fusion of numerous primitive vertebral segments and which are articulated with each other; the sacrum is also articulated with the two bones of the hip. Five constituent segments can be identified in the sacrum, four or five in the coccyx.

The vertebral column is therefore formed by 33 or 34 bone segments.

General characteristics of the vertebrae

With the exception of the sacrum and the coccyx, whose vertebral segments are fused together and strongly modified, it is possible to recognize in the vertebrae general characteristics of constitution and also particularities of conformation that allow them to be assigned to a certain section of the column, and in some cases to recognize them individually.
Vertebrae are short bones formed from a body and from a arch, which together delimit a vertebral hole.
Each vertebra is also made up of:

1. a "spinous process;
2. two transverse processes;
3. four articular apophyses, two upper, two lower, placed laterally;
4. two foils;
5. two peduncles that join the body of the vertebra to the apophyses.

The twenty-four upper mobile vertebrae are connected to each other by:

1. Intervertebral discs
2. Longitudinal direction ligaments
3. Joints between the joint processes
4. Muscles

The intervertebral discs, fibrocartilaginous, act as a "buffer" between the vertebrae. At the center of the disc is the pulpy, gelatinous nucleus, devoid of capillaries, surrounded by concentric fibers of fibrous cartilage.

Physiological curves of the spinal column and their origin

Straight on the frontal plane, the spine has three curves on the sagittal or anteroposterior plane, justified by the needs of the upright position and walking, as well as by the shape of the intervertebral discs and that of the vertebrae themselves; these curves are:

1. there physiological cervical lordosis, anterior convexity of the cervical tract
2. there dorsal physiological kyphosis, posterior convexity of the thoracic tract
3. there lumbar physiological lordosis, anterior convexity of the lumbar spine

These curves are more or less accentuated according to whether the sacrum, which forms the base of the column, or the vertebrae immediately above it, are more or less inclined with respect to the horizontal. If the sacrum is tilted forward they tend to be accentuated, and vice versa. .
The value of the curves is considered in the norm - according to Rocher-Rigaud - when:

1. it is about 36 ° for physiological cervical lordosis;
2. it is about 35 ° for physiological dorsal kyphosis;
3. it is about 50 ° for physiological lumbar lordosis.

Deviations from the physiological position can be caused by a tissue imbalance (muscles, ligaments, tendons), or by structural abnormalities of the bones.

Clinically, the alterations in normal body morphology are divided into:

1. Paramorphisms,
2. Dysmorphisms.

In the paramorphisms the morphological deviation is the result of incongruous positions maintained by vicious postural habits, pain etc.

In other words, these are generally transient deformities that can be corrected voluntarily and are not supported by alterations of the skeletal structures.
Paramorphisms are of favorable functional prognosis as they are easily reversible, especially if diagnosed and treated early.

Left to themselves, especially during the age of development, some paramorphisms can sometimes turn into dimorphisms due to the progressive establishment of skeletal structural modifications. Dimorphisms therefore represent modifications of normal morphology, sustained by congenital (malformations) or acquired alterations. osteofibrosis structures. The latter cannot be corrected without adequate orthopedic treatment.

Among the most common paramorphisms we distinguish:

1. Hyperlordosis, accentuation of the lumbar lordotic curve
2. Hypercyphosis, accentuation of the dorsal kyphotic curve
3. Winged shoulder blades
4. Scoliotic attitude.

CONTINUE: Dorsal Hypercyphosis "