Lordosis , kyphosis, and scoliosis are spine curves that can cause pain or discomfort. Lordosis is a natural curve in the neck or lower back. Kyphosis is the natural curve of the upper and mid-back regions. When you look at the spine laterally, you will see several curves Figure 1. When you look at the spine from the posterior rear , as in Figure 2, the spine will appear to be straight vertically from your neck to the tailbone. The terms for these normal curves are kyphosis kyphotic curve and lordosis lordotic curve.
However, such natural kyphotic or lordotic curves should never be confused with scoliosis. Lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis are spine curves. As mentioned, kyphosis and lordosis are natural but not scoliosis. Scoliosis is an abnormal curve as seen from the front or back of the spine, as depicted in Figure 3. The standard curves lordosis or lordotic curves and kyphotic or kyphotic curves are those in the sagittal plane.
In contrast, the abnormal curves scoliosis are a reference to curves in the coronal plane. In the human spine, there are two lordotic curves lordosis : one in the neck cervical and the other in the lower back lumbar. But there is only one kyphotic curve located in the upper and mid-back thoracic spine. However, some even consider the curve of the buttocks as one of the spinal curves , as formed by the sacrum and the coccyx the tailbone. Therefore, to keep matters simple, we will proceed with the notion of two normal kyphotic backward curves: one in the thoracic spine upper and mid-back and the other in the sacral spine buttocks region.
Each of these healthy and naturally occurring soft curves serve to distribute any mechanical stress incurred while the body is erect, moving, or at rest. Complicated scoliotic curvatures will present increased or decreased natural curves lordosis and kyphosis curves. Rotatory scoliotic spine presenting with lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis requires expert attention.
They are if they fall within a healthy range, but when they move beyond that and become over-pronounced, this is when kyphosis and lordosis can become problematic and require treatment.
If left untreated, abnormal spinal curvatures tend to worsen over time, so being proactive is key. Here at the Scoliosis Reduction Center , I believe in starting treatment as close to the time of diagnosis as possible; that way, we are addressing abnormal spinal curvatures while they are at their smallest, before they have progressed significantly, are less complex to treat, and before the body has had time to adjust to their presence.
While different spinal conditions can produce similar symptoms, particularly in terms of back and muscle pain, and postural changes, as they develop in different areas of the spine, they can also produce varying symptoms.
While every case is different and will produce its own unique set of symptoms and treatment needs, common symptoms of lordosis include:. While lordosis gives the body a swayback appearance, kyphosis produces more of a roundback appearance, along with the additional common symptoms:. When the spine is abnormally curved in one location, it disrupts the biomechanics of the entire spine, but as you can see, different curvature locations and curvature types affect certain areas of the body differently, thus producing different symptoms.
While kyphosis and lordosis described two different types of spinal curvatures, one that bends outwards and one that bends inwards, a person can experience an over exaggeration of both types of spinal curves at the same time. As each involves different sections of the spine, kyphosis most commonly affecting the thoracic spine, while lordosis typically develops along the lumbar spine, it is possible to have over-pronounced kyphotic and lordotic curves simultaneously.
In fact, the spine commonly responds to the development of unnatural spinal curvatures by putting in counteractive curves, which is why one unhealthy and unnatural curve can disrupt the biomechanics of the entire spine.
The spine is a complex and crucial part of human anatomy, and as such, there are a number of conditions that can affect it. While lordosis is a term used interchangeably with hyperlordosis , meaning an exaggerated inward curvature of the lower back, and kyphosis and hyperkyphosis describe an over-pronounced outward curvature of the upper back, it it is also possible to have both conditions at the same time. While the conditions involve different curvature types that develop along different areas of the spine, they can produce both similar and dissimilar symptoms, and there are different types of both conditions that can develop related to causation.
Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Kyphosis and lordosis are different curvatures seen in the spine. Excessive kyphosis in the thoracic spine—also called round-back or hunchback—is a spinal deformity where the spine curves forward, resulting in a usual rounding of the upper back. With excessive lordosis—also called swayback—there is an excessive backward curving of the spine where the abdomen projects out.
Keep reading to learn more about the differences between excessive kyphosis and lordosis. Make sure you see your doctor for an appropriate diagnosis and so you or your child can receive proper treatment.
Kyphosis and lordosis occur in different subtypes. It can also affect adults, especially as they age. Postural kyphosis is the most common type. It results from poor posture and slouching. It is more common in teenagers and affects girls more than boys. It rarely causes problems other than minor discomfort and a slightly rounded shape in the spine. With this type of kyphosis, the vertebrae are wedge-shaped rather than rectangular.
The wedge-shaped bones will curve forward, make the spine appear rounded. Additional symptoms include a hunchback appearance, a stiff spine, and difficulty breathing if the spine curvature is severe. Congenital kyphosis is present at birth and much rarer than other types. It occurs when the vertebrae develop abnormally in the womb or fuse together. Congenital kyphosis will get worse as the child grows.
Children with this condition may have additional birth defects that affect the heart and kidneys. Treatment usually involves surgery in early childhood to stop the curvature from getting worse. There are different types of excessive lordosis—postural, congenital, traumatic, post-surgical laminectomy hyperlordosis, neuromuscular lordosis, and lordosis secondary to hip flexion contracture.
Postural lordosis can be caused by excessive weight and a lack of strong muscle in the back and stomach the abdominal muscles. Congenital lordosis is a birth defect that causes the connecting links of the spine to be misshapen. Traumatic lordosis is seen in children who have had a sports injury or a fall from a high area, or have been hit by a car. These injuries can cause the connecting parts of the spine to break and fracture, and they can cause pain in the lower part of the spine.
Whatever the cause of congenital or traumatic lordosis, the vertebrae, over time, can slip forward and pinch the nerves of the spine, causing pain, numbness, weakness, or dysfunction of the legs. Post-surgical laminectomy hyperlordosis can occur in both adults and children, but is more common in children who have had surgery to remove spinal cord tumors.
A laminectomy procedure removes part of the vertebrae to reduce spinal cord or nerve root compression of the spine. If more than one part of the spine is involved, the spine can become unstable and overly curved hyperlordotic position.
Neuromuscular lordosis is charged by a variety of neuromuscular conditions , including muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. Lordosis secondary to hip flexion contracture is often the result of structural changes in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the hips, causing the pelvis to rotate forward.
This will cause an individual to either lean forward or adopt a hyperlordotic spine to accommodate. The contracture can have various causes, including infection , injury, or muscle problems from different disorders. Both excessive kyphosis and lordosis can be painful conditions.
They affect different parts of the vertebrae. Mild types of kyphosis cause few problems, but severe kyphosis causes pain and can be disfiguring. Although rare, severe kyphosis can cause sensation loss in the legs, weakness, numbness, and tingling. Seek out immediate medical attention for these symptoms.
Lordosis causes an inward curvature of the lumbar spine , the lower part of the spine just above the buttocks. The amount of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis an individual has is based on the relationship between their spine, hips, and pelvis. The angle that determines this is called the pelvic incidence.
Excessive lordosis can cause severe pain in the back and legs for some people. Additional symptoms might include:. Note that severe leg weakness may require urgent medical attention to avoid serious problems. Further, severe complications of excessive lordosis might include loss of movement or restructured movement, fractures, or low back or leg pain.
Both kyphosis and lordosis can cause poor body image. This is especially common in children and teens whose backs appear rounded or swayed back, or who need to wear a brace to correct symptoms.
Adults may also have concerns about body image. These concerns can lead to social isolation, anxiety, and depression in both adults and children. There are different causes of excessive kyphosis and lordosis.
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