What Is Lordosis? Understanding Its Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Lordosis, often termed as “swayback”, is the pronounced forward curving of the spine. This curvature can naturally occur in the cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. While a healthy spine does exhibit some curvature in these areas, problems arise when the curve becomes excessive.

Symptoms of Lordosis

An appearance of “swayback”
Prominent buttocks
Typically painless

Causes of Lordosis
The causes of lordosis can vary. Simple factors like poor posture can be one of the triggers. In other cases, it might be the result of other health conditions, such as a hip disorder.

How is Lordosis Treated?
The goal of treatment is to halt the progression of the curve and minimize the resulting deformity. The approach to managing lordosis hinges on its cause:

Exercises: If lordosis is linked to poor posture, simple exercises can be effective in addressing the condition. Maintaining a neutral spine during prolonged activity can also help.
Bracing: Braces can help stabilize the back and prevent the curve from progressing further.
Treatment of Other Health Issues: If lordosis is a byproduct of another health condition, addressing that primary problem can be beneficial.
Surgery: In rare cases, surgery might be necessary. Procedures for conditions like flatback syndrome, which might be related, include osteotomy and pedicle subtraction osteotomy. During such surgeries, a portion of the bone is removed from the lumbar spinal column allowing the surgeon to realign the spinal bones, thus introducing the needed lordosis.
Medications and Physical Therapy: Some patients benefit from medications to alleviate neck or back discomfort. Physical therapy and exercises can correct postural or flexibility issues contributing to abnormal lordosis.

Other Spinal Conditions
Apart from lordosis, there’s another condition called kyphosis which is a curvature of the spine but in the opposite direction. For mild structural kyphosis, exercises and bracing can be effective. If the deformity progresses beyond 70-80 degrees and the patient is either unsatisfied with their appearance or experiences persistent back pain, spinal fusion might be considered.

For more comprehensive information, you can visit these resources:

CHOP’s guide on Lordosis
URMC’s Encyclopedia on Lordosis
Columbia Neurosurgery on Flatback Syndrome
… and more.

In conclusion, while lordosis is a naturally occurring curvature of the spine, excessive lordosis can lead to complications. It’s essential to recognize the signs and seek timely treatment.