What is Scheuermann Disease

Scheuermann disease is a type of physical abnormality (deformity) of the spine. The spine is made of bones (vertebrae) that are stacked on top of one another.

Scheuermann disease causes the vertebrae in the front middle portion of the spine (thoracic vertebrae) to collapse and become wedge-shaped. This wedging changes the shape of the back. It causes the spine to curve, making the back look rounded or humped.

Scheuermann disease starts to develop in adolescents between ages 13 and 16. The condition can range from mild to severe and may cause back pain. The curving of the spine usually stops in the early adult years, when spine growth is completed.

What are the causes?

The exact cause of Scheuermann disease is not known. This condition may be passed along from parent to child (inherited).

What increases the risk?

Your child may have a higher risk of Scheuermann disease if your child is an adolescent who:

• Has a family history of the condition.
• Is male.
• Has a history of a sideways curve in the back (scoliosis).
• Has a history of back injury (trauma).

What are the signs or symptoms?

A curve or hump in the middle back that develops during adolescence is the main symptom of Scheuermann disease. The curve may be mistaken for bad posture. Other symptoms may include:

• Back pain that gets worse after sitting, standing, or exercising. Pain may get better with rest.
• Tiredness (fatigue).
• Pain when pressing on the spine (tenderness).

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your child’s symptoms and medical history.
• A physical exam.
• X-rays of the spine.

How is this treated?

Treatment of Scheuermann disease depends on your child’s condition. Mild cases may not need treatment. If your child has severe or painful curvature of the spine, treatment may include:

• Resting the back.
• Taking NSAIDs to reduce pain.
• Doing physical therapy exercises to strengthen the back.
• Wearing a back brace. This may be needed if other treatments do not help.
  • Your child may need to wear a back brace until the spine stops growing.
  • Your child will have regular X-rays to see if the brace helps reduce the curving.
• Having surgery, if no other treatments have helped. Your child may need a procedure to straighten the back and hold vertebrae in place with metal supports (spinal fusion).

Follow these instructions at home:

If your child has a back brace:

• Have your child wear it as told by your child’s health care provider. Remove it only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Loosen the brace if it is too tight and interferes with breathing.
• Do not let your child’s brace get wet if it is not waterproof.
• Keep the brace clean.

Activity

• Have your child rest and return to his or her normal activities as told by your child’s health care provider. Ask the health care provider what activities are safe for your child.
• Do not let your child do activities that cause back pain.
• If physical therapy was prescribed, have your child do exercises as told by his or her health care provider.

General instructions

• Make sure that your child does not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These can delay bone healing. If your child needs help quitting, ask your child’s health care provider.
• Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child has back pain.
• Your child’s back brace becomes loose or damaged.