Rectification

The most frequent abnormalities are: Lumbosacral transitional anomalies Scoliosis Hyperyphosis Hyperlordosis Rectification Spondylolysis Spondylolisthesis Vertebral arthritis Facet arthritis Spinal stenosis Fissure, protrusion and disc herniation Postoperative fibrosis Dislocation of the coccyx Atlantoaxial Dislocation Sprain Whiplash Syndrome

What it is

Rectification consists of a reduction in normal spinal curves. Cervical or lumbar rectification means that the spine is less curved than normal or that the curve has even disappeared, that is, the spine would be straight from a side view. The cervical spine sometimes shows lordosis inversion, which means it is concave forward instead of backward.

Dorsal spine rectification means that the forward concavity is decreased or has disappeared.

How it takes place

In most cases the cause is unknown and it appears from the onset of skeletal formation. This occurs specially in rectification of the lumbar column.

In other cases it may be the result of muscular contracture, specially in the cervical column, or of lack of strength, especially in the dorsal column.

Symptoms

Rectification of one or several curvatures of the spine is relatively frequent and there is no evidence that risk for back pain or other back problems will be increased. If pain appears, it is due to other reasons or to alterations in the musculature.

Risk

None.

Treatment

It does not of itself require treatment, unless the physician thinks it appropiate to prescribe a program of exercise to offset any possible alterations of the musculature.