Evaluation of lumbar lordosis. A prospective and retrospective study.

Two lordotic angles were measured on roentgenograms of 973 adults in a prospective and retrospective review. The majority of the films were taken because of lumbar complaints. The mean lumbosacral (LS) angle (L2-Sacrum) was 45.05 degrees +/- .85 degrees. The mean lumbolumbar (LL) angle (L2-L5) was 29.96 degrees +/- .74 degrees. Only minor differences were found between a standardized (prospective) and a nonstandardized (retrospective) group. There was a statistically significant difference between men and women with both LS and LL angles, but no racial differences were observed. A "routine" supine lateral lumbar spine roentgenogram is a very accurate means of measuring lordotic angles. A lordotic angle of less than 23 degrees defines hypolordosis and more than 68 degrees, hyperlordosis.