National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Scheuermann disease, often seen in young gymnasts, is also known as what?

1. Adolescent scoliosis

2. Juvenile kyphosis

3. Jumper's disease

4. Bamboo spine lordosis

The correct answer is: Juvenile kyphosis

Scheuermann disease is indeed often referred to as juvenile kyphosis. This condition typically manifests in adolescents and is characterized by abnormal curvature of the spine, particularly in the thoracic region, leading to a prominent hunchback appearance. It's a form of kyphosis that arises during the growth spurt of adolescence, hence the term "juvenile" kyphosis. The condition involves a developmental issue where the vertebrae grow unevenly, leading to wedging of the vertebrae and structural changes. These changes can accumulate over time, causing increased spinal deformity and potential functional impairments in movement and flexibility. In contrast, adolescent scoliosis primarily refers to lateral curvature of the spine rather than the anterior-posterior curvature seen in kyphosis. Jumper's disease, also known as patellar tendinopathy, pertains to the knee and doesn’t relate to spinal abnormalities. Bamboo spine refers to a particular appearance of the spine seen in ankylosing spondylitis, which is different from Scheuermann disease. Thus, the terminology and characteristics distinctly align with juvenile kyphosis as the correct answer.