Cervical lordosis is a medical term for a change in the physiological curvature of the cervical spine. Physiological curvature in the cervical spine is necessary for the proper functioning of the spine, and changes in this curvature can lead to disruption of biomechanics and various pathological conditions. Curvature in the cervical spine can vary greatly from normal and lead to a variety of symptoms. Sometimes the normal curve straightens out, making it difficult to move the neck, or it becomes more curved than usual, sometimes it can deviate to the right or left and be excessively curved at the same time. Treatment of lordosis of the cervical spine depends on the severity of the deformity and genesis and can be either conservative or surgical.
Types of lordosis of the cervical spine
Hyperlordosis: a stronger forward bending of the neck than normal. Visually, one gets the feeling that the head has moved far forward and is possibly lowered below shoulder level. In essence, such patients have pathological neck extension.
Hypolordosis: Also called cervical kyphosis or "military neck". This anomaly is manifested by straightening of the cervical spine. When viewed from the side, a person's neck appears straightened, without the normal physiological curvature of the neck.
Seven bones form the cervical spine. Although a slight curvature in the neck is normally required to support the head, however, changes in this curvature lead to various problems.
Causes
Although changes in the curvature of the cervical spine develop more often in adults, pathological lordosis can also occur in children. Both men and women get sick equally often, and no dependence of this condition on ethnicity or race has been found. The condition is known to be the result of years of poor posture and muscle spasms in the neck. The main causes of cervical lordosis:
Poor posture
: As a rule, it is formed in people who sit at the computer for a long time, and this can contribute to the development of pathological lordosis. Long-term muscle tension to hold the head induces them to involuntarily stretch their neck forward. Such prolonged static loads and poor posture can lead to misalignment of the cervical spine.
Injury:
Direct trauma to the cervical spine can result in loss of cervical lordosis, which means the neck cannot be held in its natural position. Such changes typically occur after whiplash injuries to the neck.
Osteoporosis
: a disease that occurs in older people, in which bone porosity increases and, as a result, bone strength decreases. Due to the fact that the head weighs a couple of kilograms, this weight puts pressure on already fragile bones, which leads to the development of deformities of the cervical spine.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
: There are diseases of the muscles and skeleton, which are often congenital, and as the body grows, various pathologies develop, such as
achondroplasia, kyphosis and scoliosis
.
Lordosis can also be caused by pathological conditions affecting the intervertebral discs, such as discitis, disc herniation
or
prolapse
, or changes in the position of the vertebrae, such as
spondylolisthesis
.
In addition, lordosis can be caused by various systemic connective tissue diseases.
Normal limits
Smoothed lordosis often causes compression of nerve endings, constant pain, a feeling of numbness, and the appearance of a number of other symptoms. To identify a pathological condition, specialists have determined the normal range of neck movement in the absence of disease:
- Tilt to the right and left – 45 degrees.
- Rotation in each direction is 90 degrees, with the chin parallel to the shoulders.
- Bend the neck forward to the sternum - 45 degrees, the chin touches the chest.
- Tilt of the head back to back – 40 degrees.
If there are deviations from these values or restrictions in movement, a specialist may suspect a pathological process. It may be accompanied by an increase in lordosis or its smoothing. Both conditions are dangerous for humans and require clarification of the diagnosis and the prescription of correct treatment.
The Importance of a Healthy Curvature of the Cervical Spine
The spine of Homo Sapiens consists of 24 bone formations (vertebrae). The spine is a kind of rod for supporting weight, it holds the body upright and helps in performing motor functions of varying complexity. In addition, the spine also serves as a kind of protective case for the spinal cord, which begins at the end of the brain and extends to the distal part of the spine. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that transmit nerve impulses to the brain and from the brain to the periphery.
The cervical spine is part of an important structure and changes in geometry can affect various aspects of health.
Possible consequences
If urgent measures are not taken, pathological processes will start in the body, leading to serious consequences. External defect and pain will significantly reduce the quality of life.
Manifestation of complications of cervical lordosis:
- Intracranial pressure increases.
- Hands are partially immobilized.
- Decreased hearing and vision.
- The entire spine is curved.
- The spinal cord is compressed.
- Metabolism is disrupted.
Unfortunately, medical research statistics indicate a steady increase in such complications.
Symptoms of cervical lordosis
Disturbances in the structure of the cervical vertebrae and the shape of this part of the spine can lead to variability in symptoms. Considering that the neck area contains important nerve bundles (afferent and efferent fibers) that are involved in the exchange of information between the brain and the periphery, problems with the neck can lead to some undesirable symptoms, for example:
Neck pain/discomfort
: These are the manifestations most commonly encountered by individuals with an abnormal curvature of the cervical spine and are typically the result of a forward head posture. The pain may feel stabbing or sharp and is often accompanied by difficulty turning the neck. In some cases, no pain may be felt, but the excess curvature may continue to limit daily activities. The muscles around the neck, shoulders and upper back are usually tight and may be tender to the touch. Muscle spasms are also common and can also reduce range of motion in the neck and difficulty raising arms or lifting heavy objects.
Root compression
. If a nerve root becomes compressed due to abnormal curvature of the spine or instability of motion segments, it may result in symptoms related to the impact on nerve structures. Patients may experience sensory disturbances (numbness and tingling).
As a rule, adequate treatment allows you to get rid of symptoms. But if lordosis is not treated properly, the symptoms will only progress over time.
If the patient experiences weakness in the arms and fingers or difficulty maintaining motor control, immediate medical attention may be required. Additionally, changes in the curvature of the spine can lead to further changes in adjacent joints, structures and cause additional health problems.
The most common symptoms of pathological lordosis:
- Muscle spasm/weakness
- Physical disability
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Backache
- Poor posture
Basic treatment methods
- Medicines.
Medication is only required if there is pain and stiffness. Painkillers and muscle relaxants will help reduce pain and spasms in the neck muscles. They help relieve discomfort and increase the range of motion of the neck. - Surgery
. In some cases, surgical treatment may be required to treat cervical spine lordosis. Surgical fixation of the vertebrae (spondylodesis) is used if necessary to eliminate instability of the motion segments of the cervical spineSurgical treatment is usually considered as a last resort, since surgery in the cervical spine is quite risky, and after this the patient may change his usual lifestyle.
For example, spinal fusion makes it more difficult to turn the head and can increase these patients' vulnerability to injury as the spine loses some of its flexibility and elasticity.
Physiotherapy
. Various physical therapy techniques can be used to treat lordosis of the cervical spine. Physiotherapy can reduce pain and relieve inflammation.
Traction therapy
. Traction can be useful when there is compression. Traction therapy can reduce root compression and thus reduce symptoms.
Massage.
This type of treatment allows you to relax cramped neck muscles, relieve pain and restore neck flexibility.
• Corseting
. In severe forms of cervical lordosis, it may be necessary to use a corset during the daytime and a special orthopedic pillow during sleep. This fixation helps combat abnormal curvature of the cervical spine.
Acupuncture.
This treatment method is used in the presence of pain, sensory disturbances, especially when there are signs of compression of nerve structures.
• Exercise therapy
. Exercise is an extremely important part and the most effective method of treating cervical spine lordosis. Exercise therapy helps correct poor posture, strengthen muscles and increase the range of motion and flexibility of the cervical spine. Regular neck exercises recommended by a physical therapy doctor help strengthen the neck muscles, and gradually the patient can move the neck without pain. During treatment, the person should avoid lifting heavy objects.
Exercises to treat cervical lordosis can be a great way to reduce pain and improve mobility, but they should be done with caution. Ideally, exercises for the treatment of lordosis of the cervical spine should be selected with a qualified physical therapy doctor.
Prevention of cervical lordosis
Having chronic neck pain can be very uncomfortable and make it difficult to perform the most basic daily activities.
Most neck abnormalities develop over a long period of time, and the patient usually understands that complications can develop over time.
Basic recommendations for prevention:
a major source of pain associated with the spine as most of us spend most of our days sitting or standing with poor posture. Over time, this can lead to changes in the curvature of the spine, especially in the cervical spine.
: Sleeping on your stomach can cause changes in the curvature of the cervical spine over time. If you find this too difficult, there are different types of orthopedic pillows that can help with proper sleep posture. In addition, you can consult with an orthopedic doctor who can give additional advice.
Many jobs today require the use of a computer, which can lead to head posture problems. It is recommended to raise the monitor about three inches above eye level, as looking down at the screen can negatively impact your neck over time. Additionally, keeping your feet flat on the floor while you work on the computer will help support your shoulders.
: Large, bulky wallets in your back pocket can create an imbalance in your posture when you sit.
Diagnostics
Making a diagnosis requires a number of activities:
- Questioning the patient, identifying symptoms, compiling a medical history.
- Determination of spinal mobility, its curvature, and developmental anomalies.
- Conducting a neurological examination.
- X-ray, which will help to accurately determine the degree of curvature.
There is a self-diagnosis method that can be done at home. It certainly won’t give exact results, but it will help you get your bearings. You need to stand with your back to the wall and try to stick your hand in the lumbar area between the wall and your back. The hand should move with difficulty.