Lordosis is a type of scoliosis that affects the lumbar vertebrae, causing the spine to bend inward and placing stress on the back. It can be congenital or caused by arthritis, osteoporosis, or injury. Treatment includes pain medication, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery.
Lordosis is a type of scoliosis that affects the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. The condition causes the spine to bend inward, protruding the buttocks and placing significant stress on the entire back. Most cases are congenital, meaning the deformities are present at birth. Older people can also develop the condition if they have severe arthritis, osteoporosis or lower back injuries. Treatment for lordosis depends on the severity of the curve and the patient’s age, but most people need to take pain medication and receive long-term physical therapy for the disorder.
A small amount of curvature in the lumbar spine is normal and necessary to properly support the torso. If the curve is severe, however, a person may not be able to sit, stand, or walk without significant discomfort. Lordosis is considered severe when the spine is inflexible, meaning it holds its awkward position no matter how a person adjusts their back.
Congenital lordosis results from genetic abnormalities that can be inherited from parents or produced by mutations that occur during fetal development. When curvature occurs later in life, it’s usually caused by stress on the lumbar vertebrae from an injury or excessive weight gain. A person who has osteoporosis or arthritis can experience the condition when the lower back bones and joints deteriorate and slip out of their proper alignment.
A doctor can diagnose this condition by carefully examining the spine and asking a patient about their medical history. The doctor usually asks questions about when the curvature became apparent and what symptoms are present to try to determine an underlying cause. X-rays and computed tomography are done to help the doctor determine the severity and exact location of the problem.
The first choice of treatment for mild lordosis in children is the brace. An orthopedic specialist fits a young patient with a custom back brace that encourages straighter spine development as the child grows. An adult suffering from this type of scoliosis is typically prescribed medications and dietary supplements to help slow the progression of the degenerative condition. Patients often need to attend regular physical therapy sessions to strengthen their leg and back muscles and learn to remain mobile despite their condition.
Corrective surgery may be needed if the curvature is severely debilitating in a child or adult. An experienced surgeon can realign bones and nerves in the lower back and fuse the lumbar vertebrae together to prevent further bowing. It usually takes several rounds of surgery and years of physical therapy for a patient to recover from the condition.
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