Your spine is the backbone of your body. It supports your weight, protects your spinal cord, and allows you to move freely. Among its natural curves, the lumbar lordosis or hyperlordosis – the gentle inward curve in the lower back – plays an important role in maintaining good posture and balance.
But what happens when this curve disappears? This condition is called loss of lumbar lordosis and can cause a range of symptoms from mild to severe mobility issues.
Understanding loss of lumbar lordosis is important because it affects not only your posture but also your overall quality of life. Whether you’re dealing with back pain, stiffness, or other related symptoms, knowing and addressing the root cause is key. This blog will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for loss of lumbar lordosis so you can take control of your spinal health.
Let’s explore what loss of lumbar lordosis really means, how it happens, and what you can do about it.
What is Loss of Lumbar Lordosis
Lumbar lordosis is the natural inward curve of the lower back. This curve absorbs shock, supports the weight of the upper body and allows for bending and twisting movements. A healthy lumbar curve is essential for good posture and balance.
When the curve is reduced or lost, it’s called loss of lumbar lordosis. This flattening of the lower back disrupts the spine’s alignment and can cause discomfort, pain, and other problems. Loss of hyperlordosis can happen for many reasons, from poor posture to more serious spinal conditions. Knowing this is the first step to managing it.
Loss of Normal Lumbar Lordosis
Loss of normal lumbar lordosis means the natural curve of the lower back is reduced. This can be from conditions like muscle imbalances, degenerative disc disease or spinal injuries. As the curve flattens, the spine’s ability to absorb shock and support the body’s weight is compromised. This often leads to an increased strain on other parts of the back.
This abnormal curvature can also affect your posture, making it hard to stand up straight or move comfortably. People with loss of normal hyperlordosis might notice their lower back looks flat instead of curved and may experience pain or stiffness.
Mild Loss of Lumbar Lordosis
In some cases, people may experience a mild loss of hyperlordosis where the curve is slightly reduced but not flat. This mild flattening may not cause severe symptoms immediately but can cause discomfort over time if not addressed. Early signs are a dull ache in the lower back, stiffness after long periods of sitting or standing and occasional muscle spasms.
While mild, don’t ignore this condition. Early interventions like posture correction, exercises and physical therapy can prevent mild loss of lumbar lordosis from progressing to more severe stages.
What Causes Loss of Lumbar Lordosis
If you are wondering what causes loss of hyperlordosis, there are a number of factors that come into play. Some common factors include:
Poor Posture
One of the most common causes of poor posture, especially when sitting or standing for long periods, can flatten the lumbar curve. Over time slouching or leaning forward puts pressure on the lower back and causes lumbar lordosis.
Spinal Conditions
Conditions like scoliosis, spondylolisthesis or ankylosing spondylitis can change the normal curvature of the spine, leading to loss of lordosis. These conditions may need special treatment to manage the curvature loss and the underlying condition.
Muscle Imbalances
Weak or tight muscles around the pelvis and lower back can pull the spine out of alignment. For example, tight hip flexors can tilt the pelvis forward and reduce the natural lumbar curve.
Injuries and Trauma
Physical injuries like fractures or spinal surgeries can cause structural changes in the spine and cause hyperlordosis. Trauma can disrupt the alignment and integrity of the spine’s natural curves.
Degenerative Disc Disease
As the discs between the vertebrae lose their cushioning over time, the spine’s alignment can change. Degeneration flattens the lumbar curve as the discs compress and affect the overall posture of the spine.
Congenital Abnormalities
Some people are born with spine abnormalities that make them prone to loss of lumbar lordosis. These congenital issues can affect spinal growth and alignment from a young age and need ongoing management.
Loss of Lumbar Lordosis Symptoms
The symptoms of loss of lumbar lordosis can vary depending on the severity but often include:
Back Pain
A common and persistent symptom, back pain due to lordosis loss, can be mild to severe. This pain is usually worse with prolonged standing, walking or other activities that stress the lower back.
Stiffness
Loss of flexibility in the lower back makes it difficult to bend or twist and affects daily activities. This stiffness is more noticeable after periods of inactivity, like after waking up or sitting for long hours.
Postural Changes
Flattening of the lumbar curve causes postural changes like forward lean or inability to stand upright. These changes affect balance and the manner of walking. You may notice that the movement becomes awkward or uncomfortable for someone with this symptom.
Nerve Compression
As the spine’s alignment changes, it can cause nerve compression or irritation, especially in the lower back. This compression can cause numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs.
Fatigue
Constant muscle strain from compensating the lost curve can cause muscle fatigue. This fatigue makes it difficult to maintain good posture throughout the day and worsens the condition.
Radiating Pain
In some cases, pain from loss of hyperlordosis can radiate to the hips, buttocks or legs, resembling sciatica. This radiating pain occurs when spinal changes put pressure on nerve roots and cause discomfort beyond the lower back.
Struggling with back pain or changes in your posture? Get a free consultation with our expert physiotherapists to explore your treatment options for lumbar lordosis and take the first step toward better spinal health!
Intervertebral Disc Herniation
Another condition related to loss of lumbar lordosis is intervertebral disc herniation. This is when the soft inner gel of a spinal disc bulges out through a tear in the tougher outer layer. Herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine but most commonly in the lumbar area.
The link between loss of hyperlordosis and disc herniation is altered spinal mechanics. When the spine loses its natural curve, uneven pressure is put on the discs, increasing the risk of herniation.
Herniated discs can cause symptoms similar to loss of lumbar lordosis, such as back pain, nerve irritation, and reduced mobility. Proper management of hyperlordosis loss can prevent further complications like disc herniation.
Lumbar Disc Herniation ICD 10
The ICD-10 code for lumbar disc herniation is M51.26. Healthcare providers use this code to classify and track conditions like herniated discs in the lumbar spine. Proper coding is important for diagnosis, treatment planning and insurance purposes. It ensures the patient’s condition is accurately recorded and treated according to medical guidelines.
Knowing these codes can also help patients navigate their healthcare journey from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up care. For loss of lumbar lordosis, knowing related conditions like herniated discs can give a better understanding of spinal health.
What is the Treatment for Lumbar Lordosis
Treatment for loss of lumbar lordosis depends on the severity of the condition and underlying causes. The main goal is to restore the spine’s natural curve, relieve symptoms and prevent further complications.
Non-Surgical Treatments
For mild to moderate cases, non-surgical treatments are usually effective. These include physical therapy, which focuses on strengthening the muscles around the spine, improving flexibility and correcting posture. Specific exercises can help restore the natural lumbar curve by targeting muscle imbalances and core stability.
Lifestyle Modifications
Changes in daily habits, such as improving ergonomics at work, practising good posture and staying active, can significantly impact spinal health. Avoiding prolonged sitting, taking breaks to stretch and engaging in low-impact activities like walking or swimming can help maintain hyperlordosis.
Medications and Pain Management
Over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants can provide temporary relief from symptoms. In some cases, doctors may recommend epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain in the lower back.
Surgical Options
Surgery is considered when conservative treatments fail or when the condition significantly affects quality of life. Procedures like spinal fusion or laminectomy may be used to correct the spine’s alignment and relieve pressure on nerves.
Long-Term Management
Ongoing care including regular exercise, proper posture and periodic check-ups with a healthcare provider is important for managing loss of lumbar lordosis. Individualised treatment plans tailored to the patient’s specific needs are key to achieving the best results.
Conclusion
Loss of lumbar lordosis is more than just a change in the shape of your spine – it’s a condition that can affect your daily life, mobility and overall health. Recognise the symptoms early and understand the causes and you’re halfway there to its effective management. Whether through non-surgical treatments, lifestyle changes or surgical interventions, there are ways to fix it and improve your spinal health.
If you think you might have loss of hyperlordosis, get in touch with a healthcare professional for a full evaluation and treatment plan.
Your spine deserves the best care, and with the right approach, you can maintain a healthy, pain-free back for years to come.
