Operative Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Kyphosis

Abstract

Lumbar degenerative kyphosis (LDK) is a clinical entity in which abnormal kyphosis, including flat back, occurs in the lumbar region due to degenerative changes of the spine and supporting structures [1]. Clinical features include a kyphotic change of the lumbar spine and trunk stooping increases while walking, and in the upright posture labor is disturbed by pain and dullness in the lumbar region which disrupt daily activities. Patients cannot lift their trunk up from the prone position. Vertebral wedging and multiple disk space narrowing are commonly seen in the LDK lumbar spine. Also a characteristic atrophy of the lumbar extensors has been noted. This deformity is frequently seen among farmers who have worked in a trunk flexion position for many years. Therefore this kind of working posture is supposed to be intimately related with the development of an LDK posture, possibly through its affect on the lumbar extensors.