Degenerative Kyphosis: This is the most common type in older adults. Age-related wear, such as disc degeneration, arthritis, and osteoporosis, causes discs to collapse and ligaments to weaken, gradually pulling the spine out of alignment. As alignment worsens, mechanical stress increases, which can accelerate further degeneration. This type of kyphosis often comes with back pain and stiffness.
Traumatic Kyphosis: This type develops as a result of spinal injury, such as vertebral compression fractures, ligament damage, or other trauma affecting spinal stability. Fractures in the mid or lower back commonly cause some degree of kyphotic deformity and may progress or cause nerve-related complications.
Neuromuscular (Paralytic) Kyphosis: This type occurs when conditions that cause muscle weakness or paralysis, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, polio, spinal muscular atrophy, and spina bifida, reduce the spine’s ability to hold proper alignment. Unlike sudden injuries, neuromuscular kyphosis develops slowly as muscle weakness and imbalance build up over time.
Tumor-Related Kyphosis: This type is caused by tumors that weaken, damage, or destroy the vertebrae—most often cancer that has spread to the spine, but also primary bone cancer or multiple myeloma (a blood cancer originating in bone marrow). Chemotherapy or radiation to the spine can also increase the risk of vertebral compression fractures and wedge-shaped vertebrae.
Spondylolisthesis-Associated Kyphosis: Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward relative to the vertebra below it. This first tends to increase the inward curve of the lower back (lordosis) and, in more advanced cases, can contribute to kyphosis as the spine loses overall balance.
Infectious (Post-Infectious) Kyphosis: This type results from infection that destroys vertebral bone, most often in the upper or mid back. It is usually a long-term complication of a severe spinal infection, such as tuberculosis or bacterial bone infection (osteomyelitis).

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