The treatment of spinal kyphosis.

The modern management of kyphosis depends on the diagnosis, but there are common factors on which rational treatment can be based. An understanding of the biomechanics is very important, especially in planning operations on the spine. The greatest single advance has been the anterior approach. Scheuermann's disease in children is best treated by bracing, but most other deformities need anterior and posterior fusion. Modern instrumentation benefits both the patient and the surgeon.