A spinal disorder characterized by osteochondrosis of the vertebral epiphyses in childhood (usually diagnosed after age 10) that results in lumbar and/or thoracic kyphosis presenting with back pain. Also called spinal osteochondrosis and juvenile kyphosis, signs and symptoms include detached epiphyseal rings, spinal deformity, kyphosis, Schmorl nodes, wedging of vertebrae, endplate irregularities, and disk-space narrowing. Precise etiology is unknown. May be due to genetic inheritance (possibly autosomal dominant) or predisposed weakness of the vertebrae alone or in combination with repetitious straining of the spine and vertebrae. Affects males slightly more than females.

Management includes prompt diagnosis and early nonsurgical treatment using braces and physical rehabilitation. Surgery is not preferred, except for severe cases when conservative treatment is unsuccessful.