Scheurmann's Disease

Scheurmann's disease is a fairly common and often misdiagnosed occurrence. Common in the young male age 13-17 but also occurring with young females of the same age, Scheurmann's disease disguises itself as mid back pain that comes on worse with activity. What's really going on is that there are multiple compression fractures in the thoracic spine (mid-back) causing wedging and other inappropriate bone trademarks like end plate fractures known as Schmorl's nodes and limbus bones. This disease can affect as much as 8% of teens.

A typical patient suffering from this disease will have an exaggerated curve of the midback, or hyperkyphosis and will usually have some sort of trauma associated with the onset of pain. However, there are many instances where a subtle injury can cause Scheurmann's. The best way to diagnose this condition is through x-ray examination and thorough history.

Approaching this disease from a treatment standpoint truly depends on the severity of the condition. If caught early, changes to the patient's structure can be made with postural exercises and hamstring stretching. With more advanced curves, bracing and or surgery may be a requirement. The idea is to schedule check-ups early and often, especially when there is persistent pain. As your San Francisco Chiropractor, Dr. Jacob Sahourieh strives to keep you and your young ones healthy all the time.