Lordosis: symptoms, causes and how to treat it

Definition of lordosis

What is lordosis?

The definition of lordosis is a disease of the spine (vertebra) that causes excessive inward curving at the bottom (lumbar). This condition is also known as swayback.

This excessive curvature allows the lumbar to move forward so that the abdominal area protrudes forward. In addition, the hip area protrudes slightly backwards and upwards.

Types of Lordosis

These spinal disorders are of several types. The following types of lordosis you need to know are:

Postural lordosis

This type of spinal disorder is often caused by being overweight, which makes the abdominal area heavier and the lumbar region more forward. It can also occur when the abdominal muscles and back muscles are so weak that they cannot support the spine properly.

Congenital or traumatic lordosis

This type of abnormality usually occurs when the fetus in the womb has incomplete spine development. As a result, there is deformity in the spine, which makes it weak and can bend excessively.

Apart from birth defects, swayback it can also occur as a result of a sports injury, falling from a high place, or being hit by a vehicle.

Neuromuscular lordosis

This type of bone disorder is caused by various conditions that interfere with the functions and muscles in the body. Some of these diseases are muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy.

Lordosis secondary to hip flexion contracture

This type of spinal deformity is caused by contractures in the hip joints, which are permanent shortening of the joints and muscles. Contractures can result from infection, injury, or disturbed muscle balance.

Postoperative hyperlordosis laminectomy

This disorder occurs after laminectomy surgery is performed. Laminectomy is the removal of the spine to provide access to the spinal cord or nerve roots.

This operation causes the spine to become unstable and increase the normal curvature so that the lower back becomes hyperlordotic (too curved).

How common is this disease?

Lordosis is a fairly common spinal disorder. This spinal disorder can affect anyone, be it babies, children, adolescents, to the elderly. Some people can also have a risk of experiencing this disease due to certain factors.

Signs & symptoms of lordosis

Symptoms or characteristics of people who have lordosis can be seen from their appearance. Common signs and symptoms of lordosis are:

• The upper body until the stomach is more forward. While the buttocks area is more backward and upward. When viewed from the side, you will see an indentation in the stomach area to the waist.
• When falling asleep, people with lordosis will show symptoms of difficulty in supine. The upper back is difficult to stick to the floor because it is blocked by the buttocks.

Apart from appearance, people with lordosis often experience physical symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in one or both legs. They can also experience bladder problems.

When to see a doctor?

If you experience physical symptoms followed by changes in the appearance of the spine, see a doctor immediately. The sooner the condition is detected, of course the treatment will be easier.

Causes of lordosis

In most cases, doctors don't know the exact cause of lordosis. However, some cases of lordosis have known underlying causes, namely:

• Sports injury, accidents, or falling from a high place can cause vertebral fractures that eventually cause excessive curvature of the lumbar spine.
• Neuromuscular disorders (impaired function of muscles and nerves), such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy can cause swayback .
• Osteoporosis, which is bone loss, can cause the spine to break easily, which can cause abnormal curvature in the lower back area.
• Spondylolisthesis or spinal displacement is also a common cause of swayback.
• Achondroplasia, which is a bone growth disorder that makes a person look dwarfed and disproportionate.

Risk factors for lordosis

Spinal disorders such as lordosis can increase the risk by several factors, such as:

Obesity

Obesity or being overweight can put pressure on the abdomen and lower back so that they can pull the spine forward. As a result, over time it can cause swayback.

Bad posture

The lumbar spine is supported by the muscles around the abdomen and lower back. Children and adolescents with weak abdominal and lower back muscles and having improper sitting habits can increase the risk of these spinal disorders.

Diagnosis and treatment of lordosis

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

Spinal disorders, not just lordosis. There are also kyphosis and scoliosis which are also common. All of these disorders of the spine share some of the same symptoms.

So that doctors do not misdiagnose lordosis with other diseases, the doctor will ask you to undergo a series of medical tests, such as:

Physical examination

The doctor will ask you what symptoms you feel and check your body's medical history. In addition, your doctor may ask you to perform a series of movements such as standing, sitting, bending over, and sleeping on your back. This is done to observe for abnormal curvature of the back.

CT scan and CAT test

This imaging test procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce an image of your spine. In fact, it gives a detailed picture of the muscles, fat and surrounding organs.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

The diagnostic test uses a combination of high-powered magnets, radio frequency, and a computer to produce a detailed picture of your spine.

X-ray

This imaging test relies on a beam of electromagnetic energy to produce detailed images of bone. Doctors usually use this test to determine the degree of curvature of the spine.

Bone scan test

This imaging test is used to determine the cause of the appearance of pain in the back, evaluate changes in the joints, and detect other bone diseases that may occur.

Blood test

In fact, blood tests are not included in the standard diagnostic tests for lordosis. However, this test is sometimes needed to identify certain metabolic problems that may be related to abnormal body curvature.

What are the ways to treat lordosis?

How to deal with lordosis will be adjusted to the severity of the condition, age and stage of growth, degree of curvature, and the underlying cause. If your spinal disorder isn't related to spondylolysis, muscle dystorphy, or achondroplasia, treatment will focus on the symptoms of lordosis you're experiencing.

The treatment of lordosis that doctors usually recommend in this case is:

Take pain relievers

Pain, numbness, or tingling can usually be relieved by taking a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Physical therapy for lordosis

Physical therapy is done in the form of exercise. The goal is to reduce pain, improve physical function, and develop the muscles in the back so that they can support the spine much better.

The choice of exercise to treat lordosis is yoga, gymnastics, and stretching exercises. This exercise is carried out regularly under the supervision of a doctor or therapist.

Bracing therapy

Bracing is a device that is attached to your back. Its function is to stabilize the back and prevent the spine from becoming more curved. Use of this tool is recommended if the degree of curvature of your spine is more than 30 degrees.

Spinal surgery

If the method for curing lordosis above is not effective, the doctor will apply for surgery. That means, surgery is only performed if the case of spinal abnormalities that occurs is very severe. The goal of this surgery is to restore the spine around the lumbar which is excessively curved forward.

If lordosis is associated with other health conditions, for example osteoporosis, treatment is also focused on treating this disease. Your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce bone loss.

Home treatments for lordosis

Not only doctor's treatment, lordosis cure also requires lifestyle changes. For example, you are required to use bracing regularly as directed by your doctor.

The application of physical exercise in the form of sports must also be done according to the schedule made by the doctor.

In addition, during treatment, especially the consumption of drugs, you should stop smoking and drinking alcohol. The reason is, cigarettes contain chemicals that can reduce overall health, while alcoholic drinks can interfere with the performance of the drugs you drink.

The curvature of the spine also affects the activities you do. So, always make sure to sit, stand, and walk with the correct posture. Then, avoid activities that might put weight on the lumbar bone, such as lifting heavy objects or standing too long.

Prevention of lordosis

There is no proven way to prevent lordosis. However, a 2013 study on European Spine Journal indicates, standing for too long can change the curvature of the spine. Meanwhile, by sitting, changes in the curvature of the curvature in the lumbar can be reduced.

Based on these studies, you can reduce the occurrence of abnormal curvature in the lumbar by often sitting and resting when standing for long periods. However, the sitting position that you adopt should not be arbitrary. Poor sitting position can also make the curvature of the spine abnormal.

Therefore, make sure you are sitting in the correct position. Look for chairs that have back support, so you can keep your posture in line.