Camptocormia

thumb|A clinical photograph showing a patient with the flexed posture. It can be abated when lying down. Camptocormia, also known as bent spine syndrome (BSS), is a symptom of a multitude of diseases that is most commonly seen in the elderly. It is identified by an abnormal thoracolumbar spinal flexion, which is a forward bending of the lower joints of the spine, occurring in a standing position. In order to be classified as BSS, the anterior flexion (the lower back bending) must be of 45 degrees anteriorly. This classification differentiates it from a similar syndrome known as kyphosis. Although camptocormia is a symptom of many diseases, there are two common origins: neurological and muscular. Camptocormia is treated by alleviating the underlying condition causing it through therapeutic measures or lifestyle changes.

== History and society == thumb|Alexandre-Achille Souques was one of the first major researchers of camptocormia and created the definition and name used for the condition to this day.|227x227px Camptocormia comes from two Greek words, meaning "to bend" (, kamptō) and "trunk" (, kormos), and was coined by Alexandre-Achille Souques and B. Rosanoff-Saloff. These two men also created the definition of the disease that is widely accepted today.