What spinal condition is common in geriatric patients?

• A. Kyphosis
• B. Scoliosis
• C. Lordosis
• D. Kyphoscoliosis

Answer: (A)

In older adults, kyphosis—an exaggerated forward curvature of the thoracic spine—is most common because aging brings osteoporosis with vertebral compression fractures and degenerative changes in the discs and joints. This leads to a stooped posture, height loss, and sometimes breathing or balance issues. Scoliosis is a lateral curve that’s more typical of adolescence or degenerative scoliosis in later life, but not as prevalent as the age-related vertebral compression changes that cause kyphosis. Lordosis is an increased inward curve, which isn’t the hallmark aging change, and kyphoscoliosis describes both forward rounding and a lateral curve, a less typical presentation in the general geriatric population. So the spinal condition most commonly seen in geriatric patients is kyphosis.