Lordosis
Disease Information
In-Depth
The curves of the spine
Just as the shapes of peoples' bodies differ, the normal spine varies in size and shape. You may have been told to stand up straight, but no one's spine is perfectly straight. A healthy spine has front-to-back curves. It is only when these curves become too large that they present a potential problem.
What causes lordosis?
The cause of lordosis is unknown. However, lordosis may be associated with poor posture, a congenital (present at birth) problem with the vertebrae, neuromuscular problems, back surgery or a hip problem.
What are the symptoms of lordosis?
Each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms will vary depending if lordosis occurs with other defects, such as muscular dystrophy, developmental dysplasia of the hip, or neuromuscular disorders.
- The major clinical feature of lordosis is a prominence of the buttocks.
- Back pain, pain down the legs, and changes in bowel and bladder habits are not commonly associated with lordosis. A child experiencing these types of symptoms requires further medical evaluation by a physician.
