What is lumbar lordosis? Is It painful?
A symptom of lumbar lordosis is pronounced buttocks.
Lumbar lordosis is the inward curve of the lumbar spine in the lower back. A small degree of lordosis (inward curvature) is normal. The spine in the neck also has lordosis (cervical lordosis).
Normal lumbar (lower spine) lordosis is not painful but if the posture of the person appears to be swayback (abnormal inward curve), they may experience back pain.
What are the symptoms and signs of lumbar lordosis?
Symptoms and signs of lumbar lordosis (lordotic spine) may include:
- Appearance of being swayback or abnormal posture with arched lower spine
- Buttocks appearing more pronounced
- Having a large gap or arch between the lower back and a flat surface when lying on your back
- Discomfort and/or back pain
- Difficulty in moving certain directions
Some people may develop nerve problems (numbness/tingling of lower extremities, poor bladder control, weakness, electric shock-like pains).
What are the common causes of lumbar lordosis in children, adults, and while pregnant?
Common causes of lumbar lordosis
- Discitis
- Obesity
- Kyphosis
- Osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis
Causes of lumbar lordosis in children
- Bad posture
- Previous spine surgery
- Pelvis or hip injury
- Congenital
- Genetics
- Dwarfism
- Other spine disorders
Causes lumbar lordosis in women during pregnancy
Lumbar lordosis in pregnancy is due, according to some researchers, to the spine adjusting itself to the center of gravity as the pregnancy weight gain causes abdominal enlargement. It may shift again after the woman delivers the baby.
Lumbar Lordosis Symptoms and Signs
Lumbar lordosis is the inward curve of the lumbar, or lower, spine in the lower back. A small degree of lordosis (inward curvature) is normal, but excessive lordosis can result from underlying disease and conditions of the spine.
Symptoms and signs of lumbar lordosis can include
- an appearance of being swayback or having an abnormal posture with an arched lower spine,
- the buttocks appearing more pronounced, or
- having a large gap or arch between the lower back and a flat surface when lying on your back.
Read more about lumbar lordosis symptoms and signs »
What procedures and tests diagnose lumbar lordosis?
Procedures and tests to diagnose lumbar lordosis are the history and physical exam are used to diagnose lordosis. Other studies, such as X-rays and/or CT of the spine can also aid in the diagnosis.
What treatments or surgery are used for lumbar lordosis?
Mild forms of lordosis may require little or no treatments. Children can sometimes outgrow the problem. These treatments may help to fix, correct and/or reverse to cause straightening of lumbar lordosis.
- Pain medication
- Daily exercise or physical therapy
- Weight loss
- Use of a brace
- Supplements like vitamin D
- Surgery
Can lumbar lordosis be reversed or “cured”? What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for lumbar lordosis depends on how mild to severe are the symptoms and the underlying cause. Mild lordosis in children, for example, may be cured over time without treatment while severe lordosis may require surgery. However; proper treatments may lead to symptom reduction, or in some people a "cure" or a reversal of lordosis back to normal or near normal.
Can you prevent lumbar lordosis?
Lumbar lordosis may be prevented in some people by preventing certain causes such as obesity, poor posture and trauma. Other causes such as congenital or genetic lordosis are not preventable.