ABSTRACT
Low back pain is a problem seen currently in the middle and old age groups. Measurements of the lumbar lordosis are useful in low back pain investigation. It is not obvious of the lumbo-sacral curvature of the spine is changed with aging and if sex has a role in its determination. Lateral radiographic studies were done on the lumbo-sacral spines of 180 patients [101 males and 79 females] aged 10-79 years selected from patients Undergoing diagnostic radiology for abdominal and genito-urinary diseases. Measurements of [1] lumbar lordosis, [2] sacral curvature and [3] lumbosacral angle were made directly from the lateral radiographs of the lumbo sacral spine and the average values were taken. Analysis of the data obtained showed that all the three parameters varied steadily with age. Females had greater angles more than males. Sacral inclination appeared to be more important determinant of lumbar lordosis. All the three parameters showed a tendency to decrease after the 5th decade, except the lumbo-sacral angle which showed a steady increase up to the 8th decade in females. The clinical significance of these findings may be valuable in [1] The age and sex-related differences in the lumbar lordosis should be considered in the design of lumbar supports, and [2] consideration of a suitable degree of lordosis infusion of the Imbar spine