yoga book / pathologie / post-scheuermann-syndrom PSS

Definition

Especially the common Morbus Scheuermann type 1 tends to develop a further kyphosis of the back after the disease has burnt out (around 18 years of age), to which the already existing hyperkyphosis predisposes and which is further aggravated by habitual factors. As a result, there is increasing back pain, which is caused both thoracically by the overstressed musculature due to the degree of curvature and by the compensatory hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine due to lumbar pain phenomena, which are probably mainly due to the hypertonic musculature. Muscle tension and facet joint blockages are particularly evident in the thoracic spine.
Therapeutically, it is necessary to stretch the hypertonic muscles (thoracic spine and lumbar spine), to strengthen them sustainably so that the demands of everyday life become manageable and to support the promotion of the extensibility of the lumbar spine and the flexion ability of the lumbar spine so that the muscles covering it have to work less strenuously.

A lag time study by Murray showed that patients with post-Scheuerman syndrome type 1 had more severe back pain than their peers and also chose an occupation that was less demanding on their movement apparatus. As expected, they had a lower range of motion in the direction of extension, and the relevant autochthonous muscles had less strength.
The PSS had no influence on the number of days absent from work – possibly also thanks to the adaptation in the choice of occupation.
The impairment of everyday life was comparable to the control group, as was the incidence of spinal neurological syndromes (ischemialgia–lumbalgia). The medication consumption related to the back pain was also equally high. Less than 100° kyphosis angle was favourable for lung function, the patients with more than 100° and peak of curvature between T1 and T8 had restrictive lung dysfunction. At less than Cobb 60°, the impairment of quality of life was very low.

Type 2 Scheuermann’s disease is more common in adulthood and is significantly more prone to intervertebral disc disorders.

Cause

1. Scheuermann’s disease

Predisposing

1. Lack of proactive movement and training behaviour after the end of the growth phase

Diagnose

1. Measurement of the Cobb angle
2. Flexibility and strength tests as well as strength endurance tests, especially of the WS-extension

Symptome

1. Mainly thoracic, but also lumbar back pain, feeling of tension in the muscles
2. Premature fatigue of the back muscles during long periods of inactivity (e.g. sitting, standing)
3. Increase in movement restrictions
4. Neurological disorders, for example due to compression of the spinal cord, disc disease

Complications

1. Progression of the kyphosis
2. inspiratory restriction

Therapie

1. Stretching training against muscular hypertonus and tension
2. Strengthening training to increase the endurance performance of the autochthonous back muscles and prevention of further kyphosis