Understanding Lordosis: What Causes This Spinal Deformity and How Is It Treated?

Lordosis is a term that describes the natural backward curve of the spine, specifically in the neck and lower back when viewed from the side. It’s essential to differentiate between the naturally occurring lordosis and the condition often referred to as hyperlordosis. Hyperlordosis is the excessive inward curvature of the lower back, sometimes called a “swayback” appearance.

In most individuals, lordosis in the neck and lower back is typical and does not necessitate treatment or surgical intervention. However, situations arise where individuals develop excessive lordosis or might experience reduced curvature. This excessive curvature can lead to a variety of problems and necessitates appropriate management.

Causes and Treatment:

The cause of lordosis plays a significant role in determining the treatment approach. For some, it might be a result of poor posture. In such cases, simple exercises might suffice to correct the condition. However, when lordosis is a manifestation of another problem, such as a hip issue, it is treated as part of addressing that primary issue.

Children’s treatment depends on the root cause of lordosis and the amount of skeletal growth remaining for the child. Observations, repeated exams, and sometimes surgical procedures are necessary. For instance, procedures treating flatback syndrome – a condition related to lordosis – involve osteotomy and pedicle subtraction osteotomy. During these surgeries, a surgeon removes bone from the back of the lumbar spinal column, realigning the spinal bones to reintroduce the required lordosis.

Understanding Spine Curvatures:

The human spine naturally presents two gentle front-to-back curves. The lumbar or lower spine boasts an inward curve known as lordosis. On the other hand, the thoracic or middle spine exhibits an outward curve termed kyphosis. Lastly, the cervical spine in the neck region also has a gentle lordosis. An imbalance in these curves, often termed sagittal imbalance, refers to a front-to-back disproportion in the spine.

For further information on Lordosis, its causes, treatments, and related conditions, you can visit the following resources:

CHOP
UConn Health Spine
Columbia Neurosurgery
URMC Rochester
WUSTL Orthopedics