kyphotic

An exceptionally early date of fusion of costal plates and ribs would thus result in a kyphotic condition, and it may well be assumed that the earlier the fusion, the greater the hypertrophy would be.

In the early stage the patient complains of pain and stiffness in the back; later the spine becomes rigid, and gradually develops a kyphotic curve, sometimes accompanied by lateral deviation.

Clinical Features.—This affection is almost always met with in adults, and the earliest symptoms are pain and weakness in the legs, and sometimes a slight kyphotic projection of the spinous processes.