By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)
Hunched Posture is Both a Medical and Aesthetic Problem. People with hunched posture often fall because their forward vision is impaired.
Hunched posture can be caused by various medical conditions, including:
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Scheuermann’s disease
- Aging process
- Spinal fractures
- Spinal tuberculosis
Hunched posture caused by ankylosing spondylitis, Scheuermann’s disease, and spinal tuberculosis is often severe. When it becomes too severe, patients may struggle to carry out daily activities. Surgery to correct the hunched posture is often necessary. Thanks to modern technology, spinal surgery to straighten posture is now much safer.
This condition requires a thorough medical evaluation. There are specific criteria for surgery, especially in severe cases of hunched posture. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and the spine is straightened using rods and screws. In addition to restoring forward vision, patients will also appear taller once their posture is corrected. Aesthetically, they will look more upright and confident.
It’s best to undergo this posture-correcting surgery early, while the patient is still young and healthy. For elderly patients, the surgery may not be possible—especially if they have multiple chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and others that increase surgical risk.
Patients typically stay in the hospital for 5–7 days. After surgery, they are monitored in the ICU or high dependency unit for one night. Two days after the operation, patients begin physiotherapy to start walking. Post-operative pain is managed with analgesic medication, so patients remain comfortable throughout the recovery process.
Dr. Tony Setiobudi is an orthopedic surgeon and a spine surgery super-specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (Orchard), Singapore. He treats conditions related to the bones, joints, nerves, muscles, and ligaments in both adults and children. Dr. Tony has special expertise in managing pinched nerves (HNP & spinal stenosis) and various spine-related issues such as back and neck pain, scoliosis, kyphosis (hunched posture), spinal tumors and infections, major spinal cord injuries, and osteoporotic fractures.
No products in the basket.