Lordosis in children

When your child has a spinal curve where the inward curve of the lower back is exaggerated, it may be due to lordosis. Their buttocks may be more prominent, creating a swayback appearance. This condition can occur due to poor posture and can be due to a congenital problem with the vertebrae, neuromuscular problems and hip problems.

The signs and symptoms of lordosis may resemble other spinal conditions so it’s always best to consult with one of our neurosurgeons for an accurate diagnosis. Lordosis can have no symptoms, but your child may experience pain in the back and have an unusually large inward arch in the lower back.

Testing and diagnosis of lordosis

Your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination of your child and gather family and medical history. Testing may include:

• Bone scan: Involves nuclear imaging that will evaluate arthritic changes in the joints that will detect bone diseases and tumors.
• X-ray: Creates a digital image of the precise location of the abnormal spinal bones and internal tissues.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): Assesses the spinal cord with detail along with producing images of the organs and structures throughout the body.
• CT scan (computed tomography): Provides more detailed images that shows the bones, fat, organs and muscles.

Your child will benefit from our multidisciplinary team who will consider all the options and treat your child as a whole person, not just their symptoms.

Treatments for lordosis

There are many treatment plans for lordosis. If your child has lordosis, it may resolve over time, so your doctor may suggest continuing to monitor your child. Lordosis treatments may consist of devices such as a back brace, physical therapy or surgery if needed.