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Lordosis: A Common Spinal Deformity

What does the term Lordosis mean?

The spine's anterior curvature is known as lordosis. Excessive curvature of the lumbar spine can cause an increased lordosis, also known as hyperlordosis. It is a pathological exaggeration of the typical curves present in the cervical and lumbar spines.

Causes of Increased Lordosis:

Increased lordosis can be brought on by a variety of factors.

  • Functional or postural deformity
  • Lax muscles, particularly those in the abdomen, in conjunction with tight muscles, particularly those in the hip flexors or lumbar extensors
  • a large belly brought on by being overweight or pregnant
  • strong and typically tense muscles
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Congenital issues, like bilateral congenital hip dislocation
  • failure to segment the facet joint segment's neural arch 
  • putting on high-heeled footwear

Symptoms of Lordosis:

  • Lower back pain
  • Poor posture
  • Stiffness (Stiff neck and back)
  • Difficulty in standing and walking
  • Restricted ROM
  • Tingling and numbness


Exaggerated lordosis comes in two different forms.

  1. Pathological lordosis
  2. Swayback deformity


Pathological Lordosis

To maintain the proper center of gravity and the proper visual plane, deviation in one part of the body causes deviation in another.

The normal pelvic angle, which is 30 degrees, increases to about 40 degrees with excessive or pathological lordosis, along with a mobile spine and an anterior pelvic tilt.

Signs:

  • Sagging shoulders
  • Scapula is protracted and arms are medially rotated
  • Medially rotated legs
  • Foreward Protruded head


Swayback Deformity

A swayback deformity results in an increased pelvic inclination of about 40 and a kyphosis of the thoracolumbar spine. A swayback deformity causes the spine's lumbosacral angle to bend back rather abruptly.

The entire pelvis shifts anteriorly with this postural deformity, causing the hips to extend. 

The thoracic spine bends on the lumbar spine in order to keep the center of gravity in its normal position. The lumbar and thoracic curves become more pronounced as a result. 

Such a deformity may be accompanied by weak hip flexors, lower abdominals, and lower thoracic extensors as well as tight hip extensors, lower lumbar extensors, and upper abdominals.




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