Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate if the presence of Modic changes (MCs) was correlated with lower back pain (LBP) and LBP-related disability in patients who underwent nonsurgical treatment. Methods In this study, 129 patients who experienced consecutive LBP and underwent lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging in our institute were divided into three groups according to the presence or type of MCs. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to assess the outcomes of the treatment. Results Based on the achieved results, there was no significant difference between three groups before treatment (P > 0.05). Three months after undergoing nonsurgical treatment, the rates of improved ODI and VAS scores were statistically significantly different (P=0.014, 0.023). After an additional 3 months of treatment, in patients with Modic type I changes, the symptoms significantly improved in comparison with those 3 months prior (P=0.037, 0.026), while that improvement did not occur in patients with Modic type II changes (P > 0.05). Conclusions The existence of MCs affects the outcomes of nonsurgical treatment in patients with LBP. However, symptoms can be improved after an additional round of treatment for Modic type I changes, while this is not confirmed for Modic type II changes.
Highlights
Lower back pain (LBP) is a common health problem, and an estimated 80% of adults have experienced LBP at least once during their lifetime [1]
85% of patients with isolated LBP cannot be precisely diagnosed with pathoanatomical methods [5]. e unknown etiologies may result in poor outcomes of nonsurgical treatment in some patients as well
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), derived from the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire, and visual analog scale (VAS) were utilized to assess the severity of symptoms, and rates of improved ODI and VAS scores were used to assess the efficacy of treatment
Summary
Lower back pain (LBP) is a common health problem, and an estimated 80% of adults have experienced LBP at least once during their lifetime [1]. E unknown etiologies may result in poor outcomes of nonsurgical treatment in some patients as well. Modic changes (MCs) are a common phenomenon observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in spinal degenerative diseases and are greatly associated with LBP [6]. Modic type I changes are basically regarded as bone marrow edema and inflammation. Modic type II changes represent fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Some researchers have previously reported a close relationship between MCs and LBP, for type I changes [9,10,11,12]. The influence of MCs on patients with LBP has not been deeply studied yet. The present study retrospectively analyzed if the presence of MCs was correlated with LBP and LBP-related disability in patients who underwent nonsurgical treatment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
