Lordosis of the spine - causes and treatment

Lordosis - An abnormally exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine at the small of the back, giving the appearance of protruding buttocks in the back and protruding belly in the front. Lordosis may result from congenital abnormalities of the spine and often develops when a child begins to walk. CONGENITAL HIP DYSPLASIA, CEREBRAL PALSY, SPINA BIFIDA, and neuromuscular disorders in which the muscles are weak are common congenital causes for lordosis. Lordosis is also common in ACHONDROPLASIA and other forms of SKELETAL DYSPLASIA.

Lordosis does not usually cause symptoms other than its appearance. Sometimes lordosis results from habitual poor posture. X-RAY is usually sufficient to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment attempts to prevent progression of the curvature as well as to correct the existing deformity to retain spinal stability for support of the axial SKELETON. However, most lordosis in otherwise healthy children corrects itself as the child grows.

See also CONGENITAL ANOMALY; KYPHOSIS; SCOLIOSIS; SURGERY BENEFIT AND RISK ASSESSMENT.

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