Lordosis

Alternative names:

swayback

Definition:

Increased curvature of the normally curved lumbar spine.

Considerations:

The spine has three types of curves:

• kyphotic, which typically refers to the outward cure of the thoracic spine (at the level of the ribs)
• lordotic, which refers to the inward curve of the lumbar spine (just above the buttocks)
• scoliotic, which is a sideways curvature of the spine and which is always abnormal

A small degree of both kyphotic and lordotic curvature is normal. Exaggeration of the kyphotic curve is described as round shoulders or hunched shoulders (the medical term is Scheuermann's disease). Exaggeration of the lordotic curve is often called swayback (the medical term is lordosis).

This curvature tends to make the buttocks appear more prominent. A child with marked lordosis, when laid on his back on a hard surface, will have a space beneath his lower back and the surface. If the lordotic curve is flexible (when the child bends forward the curve reverses itself) it is generally of little medical significance. If the curve is fixed, it suggests the need for medical evaluation and intervention.

Common causes:

• benign juvenile lordosis (not medically significant)
• achondroplasia
• spondylolisthesis
• diskitis

Note: There may be other causes of lordosis. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for lordosis, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.