Flat back syndrome

Flat back syndrome (FBS) refers to the decrease or absence of the normal lumbar lordosis resulting primarily in chronic lumbar pain.

Terminology 

Flat back syndrome is a different condition from straight back syndrome and the two should not be confused or conflated.

Clinical presentation

Most typically it presents with persistent lower back pain.

Pathology

Etiology

• iatrogenic: following corrective surgery for scoliosis
• degenerative
• hip flexion contractures
• fixed thoracic hyperkyphosis and or thoracolumbar kyphosis
• hormonal changes
• trauma

History and etymology

Historically the term flat back syndrome was reserved for that cohort of patients who lost their normal lumbar lordosis as a postoperative complication after corrective surgery for spinal scoliosis and developed disabling symptoms as a result .

Siehe auch:

• Harrington-Stab