“Your MRI shows some Modic changes.” Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation says “Do not panic too
much.” Our Baton Rouge back pain and neck pain patients are in
good company when it comes to MRI reports revealing Modic changes. The research is evolving
about just what MRI-documented Modic changes suggest
for a patient..and what they do not. Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation creates some perspective about these common MRI findings.
WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?
“Modic changes” is a phrase used to describe the degenerative changes to the vertebral endplates. Modic type I changes are basically regarded as bone marrow edema and inflammation indicating
acute degenerative changes. Modic type
II changes signify fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic
III changes describe the replacement of bone with bony
sclerosis with little bone marrow remaining. (1) Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation
appreciates the opportunity to take care of
a painful back as early in this flow of change as possible. Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.
WHAT MODIC CHANGES TELL ABOUT THE SPINE?
Modic changes are frequent findings on
MRI. Modic changes on MRI are seen in spinal degenerative diseases
and are strongly related to low back pain. (1) They
are age-related degenerative findings that come with disc degeneration.
Greater Modic changes were linked to greater age, higher
body mass index, and adjacent disc degeneration. (2) Lifestyle and occupational
factors like cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and absence
of daily vehicle vibration seemed to have minor
effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly,
Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation encourages proper lifestyle choices for optimal health!
WHAT MODIC CHANGES SUGGEST ABOUT RECOVERY?
What is unclear is the research about just
what Modic changes connote for back pain
patients. New research demonstrated that Modic
changes were not understood to be negatively associated
with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The study reported
that low back pain patients with Modic changes had much
less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is hopeful
news to our Baton Rouge chiropractic back pain patients!
CONTACT Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Robert Rudy on The
Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who detailed
his treatment plan with the Cox® Technic System
for their back pain relief to his patients so they understand.
Schedule your Baton Rouge chiropractic appointment today.
Bring any MRIs with you. Together, Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation and you will look
at them for information and develop a treatment plan for
Baton Rouge back pain relief that will prevent us both from panicking!