Vancouver Disc Centers Calmly Considers MRIs Modic Changes
“There are some Modic changes on your MRI report.” Vancouver Disc Centers says “Don’t panic too much.” Our Vancouver back pain and neck pain patients have good company when it comes to MRI reports reporting Modic changes. The research is developing about just what Modic changes on MRI mean for a patient..and what they don’t mean. Vancouver Disc Centers 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 considered to be bone marrow edema and inflammation signifying 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 little bone marrow left. (1) Vancouver Disc Centers appreciates the opportunity to treat a painful back as early in this flow of change as possible. Vancouver Disc Centers 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 linked to higher 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 appeared to have minor effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly, Vancouver Disc Centers encourages proper lifestyle choices for optimal health!
WHAT MODIC CHANGES SUGGEST ABOUT RECOVERY?
What is unclear is the research regarding just what Modic changes imply for back pain patients. Recent research demonstrated that Modic changes were not understood to be negatively affiliated with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The study reported that low back pain patients who had Modic changes had much less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is hopeful news to our Vancouver chiropractic back pain patients!
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Robert Rudy on The Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who described his treatment plan with the Cox® Technic System for their back pain relief to his patients so they get it.
Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic appointment now. Bring your MRIs with you. Together, Vancouver Disc Centers and you will study them for information and create a treatment plan for Vancouver back pain relief that will prevent us both from panicking!
