Hyperkyphosis - extreme forward curvature of the upper spine - may be heritable, or passed on from parents to offspring, revealed a new study.
Former Rugby Players At Higher Risk Of Developing Cervical Spine Degeneration
Rugby players had narrow vertebral canals (which house the spinal cord) and narrow foramen, through which spinal nerve roots exit the vertebral canal.
Rugby players had narrow vertebral canals (which house the spinal cord) and narrow foramen, through which spinal nerve roots exit the vertebral canal.
‘Hyperkyphosis - extreme forward curvature of the upper spine - may be heritable, or passed on from parents to offspring, revealed a new study.’
Lisa Samelson, senior investigator for the study, and associate scientist at IFAR and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and her team used computed tomography (CT) images to evaluate thoracic spine curvature, muscle size, and other spine traits in more than 2,000 older adults. Data for the research was collected in two generations of families enrolled in the Framingham Heart Study. Michelle Yau, a post-doctoral research fellow at IFAR and lead author of the study, added, "Our study is important because it advances our understanding of hyperkyphosis in two ways. First, we found evidence of a strong influence of heredity on hyperkyphosis. Heritability was 54% which suggests that more than half the variation in thoracic spine curvature may be under genetic control. Second, we found that the genetic determinants of hyperkyphosis may also be responsible for bone and muscle loss of the spine that occurs with aging."
Hyperkyphosis can cause disfigurement as well as difficulties with breathing, walking, and carrying out activities of daily life. By quantifying the contribution of genetic factors to development of excessive forward curvature in older adults, this study provides important new insight into the etiology of hyperkyphosis that may help inform prevention efforts in the future.
After Spine Surgery, Medicaid Patients at Higher Risk of Complications
Medicaid beneficiaries are at higher risk of experiencing any type of complication, among patients undergoing spinal surgery, compared to privately insured patients, reports a study in the July 15 issue of of Spine.
Medicaid beneficiaries are at higher risk of experiencing any type of complication, among patients undergoing spinal surgery, compared to privately insured patients, reports a study in the July 15 issue of of Spine.
Study Quantifies Risk of Cardiac Arrest in Pediatric Spine Surgeries
Although the majority of pediatric spine surgeries are safe, a handful of neuromuscular conditions seem to fuel the risk of cardiac arrest during such operations.
Although the majority of pediatric spine surgeries are safe, a handful of neuromuscular conditions seem to fuel the risk of cardiac arrest during such operations.
Non Smoker Spine Patients Report Less Pain
For back pain and disc disease, smoking is a known risk factor.
For back pain and disc disease, smoking is a known risk factor.
