Malik Ahmed, Mahmoud El-Makhy, Michael Grevitt


November 2019, Volume 28, Issue 11, pp 2602 - 2607 Grand Rounds Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-016-4861-1

First Online: 22 December 2016

The natural history of thoracolumbar kyphosis in achondroplasia

[InlineMediaObject not available: see fulltext.]There are little published data on the natural history and evolution of thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity in achondroplasia. Furthermore, there are few published reports indicating the probability of symptoms and at what kyphotic angle progressive deformity might occur. The lack of knowledge of the fundamental natural history does not allow firm guidelines for the management of this problem. In this respect the role of bracing remains uncertain both in terms of altering the prognosis for further vertebral wedging and overall sagittal profile. This report describes three illustrative cases of thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK) that occurred in achondroplastic infants. The long-term outcomes are presented to illustrate the diverse clinical behaviour of TLK in this patient group.


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