Scheuermann's disease (kyphosis) N041

Current RMA Instruments

Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding

• ICD-10-AM Codes: M42.0

Brief description

Scheuermann's disease is a relatively common developmental disorder of the thoracic or thoracolumbar spine that typically occurs in early adolescence.  It results in anterior wedging of vertebrae which leads to an increased forward curvature of the thoracic or thoracolumbar spine (kyphosis), which is rigid.  Back pain may or may not be present. Thoracolumbar spondylosis may co-exist with this condition.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation and lateral spine X-rays showing anterior wedging of at least 5 degrees in vertebral bodies (typically in 3 or more adjacent vertebrae). 

To diagnose and manage this condition, the expertise of an orthopaedic surgeon may be required. However, general practitioners are commonly able to confirm this diagnosis with the appropriate test results.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP

• Juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine
• Physeal osteochondrosis
• Scheuermann's kyphosis

Conditions not covered by SOP

• Postural kyphosis * or # (not itself a disease or injury, but may have an underlying cause e.g. osteoporosis)
• Thoracolumbar spondylosis *

* another SoP applies

# non- SoP condition

Clinical onset

Development of this condition typically occurs during childhood and adolescence, though may be first noticed during service. Scheuermann's disease may first be noticed due to an exaggerated forward curvature of the spine or complaints of thoracic back pain, which tends to worsen with prolonged sitting or activity and improve with rest. The clinical onset is when the condition first becomes apparent, not when the abnormal development occurred. 

Clinical worsening

Treatment is generally aimed at relieving symptoms. Surgical intervention may be considered in cases of severe kyphosis. As the underlying pathology typically stabilizes once skeletal maturity is reached, any progression would usually occur prior to that point.