What it means
A deep lumbar curve with the belly forward, worse on prolonged standing.
Where it comes from
An anterior pelvic tilt from short hip flexors and a weak deep core.
How it is measured
It is measured on the side view, in the sagittal plane. The defining measurement is Sway back (Lumbar lordosis), and it is reported as a finding from above 45°. The number is computed from landmarks on that photograph — not estimated by eye, and not compared against a stock example.
What the numbers mean
| Measurement | Grade |
|---|---|
| up to 45° | Within normal range |
| 45–55° | Mild hyperlordosis |
| 55–70° | Moderate hyperlordosis |
| 70° and above | Severe hyperlordosis |
Source of the bands: Conventional 20-45° lumbar window; surface measurement
What is usually seen alongside it
- Pelvis tipped forward or back (Sagittal pelvic tilt) — above 15°
- Knee locks backward (Genu recurvatum) — above 5°
None of these is a diagnosis on its own. Together they corroborate the finding; apart, they do not refute it — a measurement nobody took counts neither for nor against.
What confirms it
The Thomas test shows the hip-flexor shortness that most often drives the anterior pelvic tilt.
Every number on this page is measured on the skin surface in a photograph. That is not the same as a measurement taken on a radiograph: it correlates with one and does not replace it. Wherever the decision depends on imaging, this page and the report itself say so.
What happens at the clinic
The assessment starts with three standing photographs — front, side and back. Every angle is measured on those photographs, the report prints the number and the grade for each, and the exercise programme is built from those numbers rather than from a template. Posture analysis explains the whole path, and the online assessment can be started from your own photograph now.
Frequently asked questions
At what point is lumbar hyperlordosis reported?
When sway back (lumbar lordosis) is above 45°, it is reported as a finding. That is where the "Mild hyperlordosis" band begins. The bands come from: Conventional 20-45° lumbar window; surface measurement
Can lumbar hyperlordosis be assessed from a photograph?
A photograph gives a number, which most assessments do not have. But it is a surface measurement and it does not replace imaging. The Thomas test shows the hip-flexor shortness that most often drives the anterior pelvic tilt.
What is the most severe grade?
The worst band in this table is "Severe hyperlordosis". The grade is printed beside the measurement itself in the report, so it is always clear which number produced the word.