Treatment

Kyphosis treatment depends on the cause and severity of your condition.

Medications

Your doctor might suggest medication, including:

• Pain relievers. If over-the-counter medicines — such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) — aren't enough, stronger pain medications are available by prescription.
• Osteoporosis medications. Bone-strengthening medications may help prevent additional spinal fractures that would worsen your kyphosis.

Therapy

Therapy can help manage certain types of kyphosis. Your doctor might recommend:

• Exercises. Stretching exercises may help improve spinal flexibility and relieve back pain.
• Bracing. Children who have Scheuermann's disease may be able to stop the progression of kyphosis by wearing a body brace while their bones are still growing.

Surgical and other procedures

Surgery might be recommended for severe kyphosis that is pinching the spinal cord or nerve roots. Spinal fusion is the most common procedure for reducing the degree of curvature. The surgeon inserts pieces of bone between the vertebrae and then fastens the vertebrae together with metal rods and screws until the spine heals together in a corrected position.

To help you maintain good bone density, your doctor might recommend:

• Eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Avoiding tobacco
• Limiting alcohol consumption