Lordosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Lordosis is a spinal disorder that causes the lower spine (lumbar) to curve inward too much.

 

This inward curvature can cause pressure on other vertebrae which can lead to discomfort or pain.

 

While in most cases, lordosis is classified as a mild spinal disorder that does not require special treatment, you should still be aware if your body starts to experience symptoms.

What is lordosis?

Lordosis is a condition where the lower spine curves too deeply. Not just the lower part, the vertebrae in the neck can also have a degree of curvature that is too deep.

 

This causes lordosis to be divided into two types, namely:

• Lordosis of thelower back (lower back lordosis)
  
• Neck lordosis(cervical lordosis)
  

Between the two, lower back l ordosis is the more common type.

 

Actually, the curvature of the lower spine or cervical vertebrae is normal. However, people who experience lordosis usually have a curve that is too deep.

 

In fact, this condition can cause a person's posture to look like the letter C in the lumbar section at an extreme stage.

 

This condition can cause the spine to get excess pressure which causes pain. If left untreated, this condition can lead to limited range of motion.

Symptoms of lordosis

Lordosis often causes no symptoms until the condition worsens. In fact, sometimes you only know you have lordosis when your doctor diagnoses it.

 

Muscle pain is the most common symptom of spinal problems, including lordosis.

 

Other than that, here are the symptoms of lordosis:

• Head and neck leaning forward too much
  
• Hips pushed forward
  
• Buttocks that point too far back
  
• There is too much space in the lower back when lying down
  
• Lower back pain
  
• Neck pain
  
• Numbness in the leg area
  
• Tingling
  
• Electric shock-like sensation
  
• Leg weakness
  

In severe conditions, lordosis can also cause a person to experience difficulty in holding back urination and muscle movement.

Causes and risk factors

Lordosis can occur in anyone and at any age. However, people over the age of 50 and pregnant women are more prone to it.

 

The following are some of the causes of lordosis:

• Spondylolisthesis, which is the displacement of one vertebra into the bone below it.
  
• Acondroplasia, which is one of the bone growth problems associated with dwarfism.
  
• Osteoporosis, which is bone loss that occurs due to decreased bone density.
  
• Osteosarcoma , which is a type of bone cancer.
  
• Obesity.
  
• Kyphosis, which is a spinal disorder that causes the body to bend.
  
• Muscular dystrophy or weakness of the muscles that support the spine
  

Diagnosis of lordosis

Lordosis can usually be seen through posture. Because, in extreme cases, someone who has lordosis will have a curve almost equal to the letter C in the lower spine area.

 

As an initial examination, the doctor will perform a physical examination by looking at the posture of the body and spine.

 

On this physical examination, the doctor will check:

• Flexibility of the spinal curves
  
• Range of motion
  
• Whether or not the spine is aligned
  

In addition, the doctor may also recommend several examination procedures, such as:

• X-ray of the spine
  
• MRI
  
• CT scan
  

Treatment of lordosis

Not all lordosis conditions require specialized treatment. For instance, if the doctor assesses the curvature of the spine during the physical examination, you may not need surgery to correct it.

 

This means that the treatment given will largely depend on the severity.

 

Some of the treatment options to address lordosis include:

Physiotherapy

Your orthopedic specialist may refer you to a medical rehab specialist for physiotherapy. They may teach you exercises and stretches that strengthen the muscles that support the spine.

 

This may reduce pain although it does not reduce the degree of curvature of the lordosis curve.

Medication

You may be advised to take pain and inflammation medications to reduce the pain and swelling caused by lordosis.

Use of a corset

Your doctor may also ask you to use a brace to prevent your spine from curving further.

 

Your doctor will tell you how to wear the corset and for how long. Generally, people with spinal problems should use the corset for at least 20 hours a day.

Surgery

In severe cases that are not relieved by the above methods, surgery to help straighten the spine and reduce its curvature is the ultimate way to treat lordosis.

 

The doctor may recommend spinal fusion or bone grafting. Consult your doctor to find out the best way

How to prevent lordosis

There is no specific way to prevent lordosis. This is because sometimes the condition has no known cause or is a result of another health condition.

 

However, exercising regularly to strengthen the muscles that support the spine can help you minimize the risk.

 

Sitting is also known to reduce the risk of lordosis. So, make sure you take the time to sit down after a long period of standing at work. Also, make sure your seat is ergonomic so that it doesn't distort your posture and increase your risk of lordosis.

 

While lordosis often doesn't require special treatment, you shouldn't ignore it. Instead, you should have regular check-ups with an orthopedic specialist to ensure that the curve does not deepen.

 

You should also consult your doctor immediately if you experience back or neck pain that interferes with your activities.

 

Thank you for reading this article. Have a nice day.