Modic changes

Modic changes are pathological changes in the bones of the spine, the vertebrae. These changes are situated in both the body of the vertebrae and in the end plate of the neighboring disc. Modic changes are pathological changes in the bones of the spine, the vertebrae. These changes are situated in both the body of the vertebrae and in the end plate of the neighboring disc. In 20% of the patients we can identify an anatomical reason for the pain, such as a lumbar disc herniation, or stenosis which is a reduction in the circumference of the spinal canal. There might be reasons for back pain that cannot be identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for example muscular pain. But other areas like knee or hip pain do a lot better when it comes to diagnosing the exact reasons for the pain. The low percentage for back diagnosis might be due to the fact that the back is a much more complex and complicated structure. Modic changes are characterized on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The 3 Modic classifications were first described and defined by Dr. Michael Modic in 1988. Normal bone contains internal scaffolding, called trabeculae. Red bone marrow, which produces blood cells, is located in the hollows between the trabeculae. Modic changes have been observed in dogs. Many studies have examined the relationship between Modic changes in the vertebrae in the spine and pain in the lower back. There is a very strong correlation between having Modic changes, especially Modic changes type 1, and suffering from pain in the lower back. Studies have shown that patients with Modic changes are rather different from other patients with normal back pain. For example, 75 –80 % of patients suffering from Modic changes have constant pain, which means they do not ever have a pain-free moment day or night. There might be fluctuations in the intensity, but no break from the pain.