Correlation of the type and graduation of Modic change with low back pain

Abstract

Objective To determine the relation between the graduation and type of Modic change and low back pain. Methods Ninety-seven patients with low back pain associated with Modic change were enrolled, and the data of clinical were analyzed. The degree of back pain was evaluated by visual analog score (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). The relation between Modic change and the degree of low back pain was evaluated. Results In 97 patients, the type of Modic change: 28 cases (28.9%) were type Ⅰ, 37 cases (38.1%) were type Ⅱ, 11 cases (11.3%) were Ⅱ/Ⅲ, and 21 cases (21.6%) were typeⅢ. The graduation of Modic change: 39 cases (40.2%) were minimal, 34 cases (35.1%) were moderate, and 24 cases (24.7%) were severe. The VAS of type Ⅰ, type Ⅱ, type Ⅱ/Ⅲ and type Ⅲ in patients with Modic change were (3.8 ± 0.4), (2.6 ± 0.2), (1.7 ± 0.5) and (1.0 ± 0.6) scores, and there were statistical differences (P 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis result showed that the graduation of Modic change had no correlation with the intensity of low back pain (r = 0.351,P >0.05). Conclusions The graduation of Modic change does not directly correlate with the low back pain, but the type of Modic lesion is more important. Key words: Low back pain; Retrospective studies; Modic chang