“Your MRI shows some Modic changes.” Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic says “Do not panic too
much.” Our Eugene back pain and neck pain patients are in
good company when it comes to MRI reports reporting Modic changes. The research is evolving
about just what MRI-documented Modic changes suggest
for a patient..and what they do not. Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic 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 considered
to be bone marrow edema and inflammation signifying
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 minimal bone marrow left. (1) Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic
appreciates the opportunity to take care of
a painful back earlier in this
cascade of change whenever possible. Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic 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 appear in spinal degenerative diseases
and are greatly associated with low back pain. (1) They
are age-related degenerative findings that come with 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 absence
of daily vehicle vibration looked to have slight
effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly,
Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic urges proper lifestyle choices for optimal health!
WHAT MODIC CHANGES SUGGEST ABOUT RECOVERY?
What is unclear is the research regarding just
what Modic changes suggest about back pain
patients. Recent research showed that Modic
changes were not found to be negatively associated
with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The study stated
that low back pain patients with Modic changes had significantly
less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is encouraging
info to our Eugene chiropractic back pain patients!
CONTACT Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic
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 understand.
Schedule your Eugene chiropractic appointment today.
Bring your MRIs with you. Together, Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic and you will study them for information and develop a treatment plan for
Eugene back pain relief that will prevent us both from panicking!