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Definition

Lordosis is an increased curving of the spine.

Alternative Names

Swayback

Considerations

The spine has three types of curves:

  • Kyphotic curves refer to the outward curve of the thoracic spine (at the level of the ribs).
  • Lordotic curves refer to the inward curve of the lumbar spine (just above the buttocks).
  • Scoliotic curving is a sideways curvature of the spine and is always abnormal.

A small degree of both kyphotic and lordotic curvature is normal. Too much kyphotic curving causes round shoulders or hunched shoulders (Scheuermann's disease).

Too much lordotic curving is called swayback (lordosis). Lordosis tends to make the buttocks appear more prominent. Children with significant lordosis will have a significant space beneath their lower back when lying on their back on a hard surface.

If the lordotic curve is flexible (when the child bends forward the curve reverses itself), it is generally not a concern. If the curve does not move, medical evaluation and treatment are needed.

Common Causes
  • Achondroplasia
  • Benign juvenile lordosis (not medically significant)
  • Spondylolisthesis
Home Care

If the back is flexible, lordosis is usually not treated and will not progress or cause problems.

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if you notice that your child has an exaggerated posture or a curve in the back. The condition should be evaluated to determine if there is a medical problem.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. The child may be asked to bend forward, to the side, and to lie flat on a table so that the spine can be examined in a variety of positions.

Questions about the child's medical history will be asked, including:

  • Time pattern
    • When did you first notice the excessive curve?
    • Is it getting worse or more noticeable?
    • Is it ever better or worse than when examined by the health care provider?
  • Quality
    • How would you describe the curve?
    • Does the amount of curve seem to change?
  • Symptoms
    • What other symptoms are also present?

In some cases, particularly if the curve seems "fixed" (not bendable), the following or other diagnostic tests may be recommended:

.

References

Spiegel DA, Hosalkar HS, Dormans JP. The spine. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 678.

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Q: Lordosis
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Related questions

What is clinical correlation of normal cervical lordosis?

Normal cervical lordosis is lordosis very important by that position can be change and it's working disturbed.and it shift in chronic condition.


What are the physical symptoms of Lordosis?

Lordosis is an abnormal curvature of the lumbar spine. It causes people to appear as if they were arching their lower back and sticking their buttocks out. Usually there are no physical symptoms of lordosis, although occasionally there may be some back pain if the lordosis is especially severe.


Is cervical lordosis an early stage of osteoporosis?

No, a cervical lordosis is the normal curve of your cervical spine (neck).


Which anatomical plane does lordosis occur?

Lordosis is an exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine, which primarily occurs in the sagittal plane. This means that when viewing the spine from the side, lordosis involves an increased concave curvature in the lumbar region.


Why does my chest curve out?

You have lordosis.


What is loss of normal cervical lordosis consistent with muscle spasm?

What is loss of the normal cervical lordosis consistent with muscle spasm?


Which abnormal condition of the lumbar spine is also known as swayback?

Lordosis is the abnormal condition of the lumbar spine that is also known as swayback. It causes an excessive inward curvature of the spine, leading to a swayback appearance.


Lordosis is also called?

Swayback


What is the med term for abnormal condition called swayback?

Lordosis is the medical term meaning swayback.Lordosis also known as swaybacklordosisinclination or sagginglordosislordosisLordosis


What is ligamentotaxis?

Ligamentotaxis is the indirect reposition of retropulsed intraspinal bony fragments by the application of lordosis and distraction forces. (Lordosis - an increased curving of the spine)


What is straightening of the lumbar lordosis?

Lumbar lordosis simply means that one's back is curved more than normal. Straightening of the lumbar lordosis is a process in which the back is straightened to be a more natural curve.


Does lordosis affect the thoracic verebrae?

False