Question
Hi,

I am suffering from low back pain since last 2 years . last week I did a xray with my kaiser doctor . today I am home I got a letter from the doctor

where the findings says

There is straightening of the normal lumbar lordosis. There is a minimal levoscoliosis . There may be minimal retrolisthesis of L3-4 . otherwise unremarkable .

the doctor says
you have minimal arthritis.

I looked in web for all these terms but somehow I could not sum all to find in simple term. Please help me understand

thanks
Prasad


Answer
hi Prasad-

'lordosis' is the natural curve of your back- apparently yours is flattening out (this is common with aging)

'levoscoliosis' is your spine curving slightly to the left (which it normally doesn't)

From the bit i know about arthritis I'd guess your doctor is plausible- i know its hard to understand all the vocabulary involved!

good luck- hope this helps
leslie