“There are some Modic changes
on your MRI report.” Vancouver Spine Care Centre says “Don’t fret too
much.” Our Vancouver back pain and neck pain patients have
good company when it comes to MRI reports revealing Modic changes. The research is developing
about just what Modic changes on MRI mean
for a patient..and what they don’t mean. Vancouver Spine Care Centre creates some perspective about these usual MRI findings.
WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?
“Modic changes” is a term used to describe the degenerative changes to the vertebral endplates. Modic type I changes are essentially regarded as bone marrow edema and inflammation indicating
acute degenerative changes. Modic type
II changes represent fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic
III changes are the replacement of bone with bony
sclerosis with minimal bone marrow remaining. (1) Vancouver Spine Care Centre
likes the opportunity to take care of
a painful back as early in this flow of change as possible. Vancouver Spine Care Centre treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.
WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT THE SPINE?
Modic changes are frequent findings on
MRI. Modic changes on MRI are seen in spinal degenerative diseases
and are greatly associated with low back pain. (1) They
are age-related degenerative findings that accompany disc degeneration.
Greater Modic changes were tied to greater age, higher
body mass index, and adjacent disc degeneration. (2) Lifestyle and occupational
factors like cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and nonappearance
of daily vehicle vibration looked to have slight
effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly,
Vancouver Spine Care Centre encourages proper lifestyle choices for overall
good health!
WHAT MODIC CHANGES SUGGEST ABOUT RECOVERY?
What is unclear is the research regarding just
what Modic changes connote for back pain
patients. Recent research demonstrated that Modic
changes were not found to be negatively associated
with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The study reported
that low back pain patients with Modic changes had significantly
less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is hopeful
news to our Vancouver chiropractic back pain patients!
CONTACT Vancouver Spine Care Centre
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Robert Rudy on The
Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who described
his Cox® Technic treatment plan
for their back pain relief to his patients so they understand.
Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic appointment now.
Bring your MRIs with you. Together, Vancouver Spine Care Centre and you will study them for information and create a treatment plan for
Vancouver back pain relief that will prevent us both from panicking!