What is Flatback Syndrome?
Flatback Syndrome is a relatively common condition that is characterized by the lower region of the spine losing its normal curvature and creating an imbalance in the spine.
Normally our lower, lumbar spine has a front to back, lordotic curve. While the thoracic spine has an outward facing, kyphotic curve, and the cervical spine also has a lordotic curve. These curves work in conjunction to keep the body’s center of gravity aligned over the hips and pelvis.
When the lumbar lordosis is lost, and the center of gravity is pushed too far forward, this is known as flat back syndrome.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of flat back syndrome include:
Causes of Flatback Syndrome
Flatback syndrome has a number of different possible causes, including:
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Compression Fractures
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Post Laminectomy Syndrome
- Following a poorly healed spinal fusion or laminectomy surgery.
Treatment
Non-Surgical Options
For the most part, patients are treated without surgery.
- Physical Therapy
- Medication – Anti-Inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, used in conjunction.
Surgical Options
Surgical options to treat flat back syndrome should be considered a last resort. These surgical methods include:
Dr. Varma will provide a more specific diagnosis and treatment protocol after a careful and thorough examination during your consultation.
- Osteotomy or Pedicle Subtraction Surgery – The surgeon removes the bone from the back of the lumbar spinal column, in order to realign the bones and add the needed lordosis curve.
- Spinal Fusion – Once the lordosis is reintroduced, in order to strengthen the spine, spinal fusion surgery must be performed.
- Spinal Instrumentation – In addition to spinal fusion, another means of strengthening the spine, is to use screws, rods, plates and other instrumentation.
