Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Flat back syndrome is also called fixedsagittalimbalance. With this condition, thenormal curvein your lower spine is reduced or absent. A major symptom is difficulty standing for long periods of time.
Flat back syndrome can be present at birth. It can also happen for other reasons, including degenerative disc disease, traumatic injury, or as a result of spinal surgery.Treatment often involves physical therapy, bracing, or surgery.
This article looks at flat back syndrome, its causes, and diagnosis. It also discusses treatment options.
Symptoms of Flat Back Syndrome
Your spine normally has two curves. Yourlumbar spinein your lower back and yourcervical spinein your neck curve inward. Yourthoracicspinein your upper back curves outward. These curves are part of your spine’s natural alignment. They help you balance and maintain your center of gravity.
When these curves are diminished, you can have trouble standing up straight. You may stoop forward, especially at the end of the day. You may even feel like you’re falling forward. To stand up straight, you might have to flex your hips and knees and adjust your pelvis.
In a person with flat back syndrome, the lumbar spine doesn’t have its natural curvature. This causes the head and neck to pitch forward, which can make it hard to walk and do day-to-day activities. You may feel tired from the strain of trying to stay balanced.
Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine
Causes of Flat Back Syndrome
Some causes of flat back syndrome include:
Flat back syndrome can also happen after spine surgery. In the past, this was common after surgery to correctscoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine. The devices implanted during these surgeries could cause flat back syndrome, especially with age. Updated surgical techniques have reduced this complication.
Diagnosing Flat Back Syndrome
To begin, your doctor will ask about your medical history, including any spine deformities or back surgery. You will also undergo a physical exam, including:
A gait exam assesses how well you walk. This is done because your gait might have changed to compensate for the loss of spinal curvature.
Finally,X-rayimaging will help your doctor see how your spine is aligned. Other possible sources of your symptoms will need to be considered before the diagnosis can be confirmed.
Treating Flat Back Syndrome
Treatment for flat back syndrome usually begins with exercise and physical therapy. This typically includes stretching and strengthening exercises to improve posture. The goal is to reverse the pattern of muscle imbalance that keeps the lower back flat.
Exercises to strengthen core, buttocks, back, neck, and rear shoulder muscles include:
A gentlehamstring stretchis a good way to improve the alignment of your lumbar spine. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds at a time. Repeat three to five times once or twice a day.
Your physical therapist can recommend exercises and other forms of treatment. This may include bracing to provide better support.
Some patients may need surgical correction. There are a few options, including:
When to See a Healthcare Provider for Back Pain
Summary
People with flat back syndrome carry their head and neck too far forward. This can cause pain and difficulty balancing.
Flat back syndrome can be diagnosed with a medical history, physical exam, and X-ray imaging. Treatment typically includes physical therapy and exercise, though sometimes surgery is necessary.
Military Neck Causes and Treatments
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Flatback syndrome.National Health Service.Exercise.Hun Lee B, Hyun SJ, Kim KJ, Jahng TA, Kim Y, Kim HJ.Clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior vertebral column resection for severe spinal deformities.J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2018 Mar;61(2):251-257. doi:10.3340/jkns.2017.0181
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Flatback syndrome.National Health Service.Exercise.Hun Lee B, Hyun SJ, Kim KJ, Jahng TA, Kim Y, Kim HJ.Clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior vertebral column resection for severe spinal deformities.J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2018 Mar;61(2):251-257. doi:10.3340/jkns.2017.0181
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Flatback syndrome.National Health Service.Exercise.Hun Lee B, Hyun SJ, Kim KJ, Jahng TA, Kim Y, Kim HJ.Clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior vertebral column resection for severe spinal deformities.J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2018 Mar;61(2):251-257. doi:10.3340/jkns.2017.0181
Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Flatback syndrome.
National Health Service.Exercise.
Hun Lee B, Hyun SJ, Kim KJ, Jahng TA, Kim Y, Kim HJ.Clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior vertebral column resection for severe spinal deformities.J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2018 Mar;61(2):251-257. doi:10.3340/jkns.2017.0181
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
