MRI Findings

[Cycler]

keep in mind that there is no indendent correlation ( statistical basis ) between spine imaging studies such as xray, CAT scan and mri and a patients symptoms and complaints. In other words the spine literature says that you cannot assume that a disc abnormality on MRI is or is not causing a problem except in very well defined cirucmstances since degeneration, bulging, herniations, etc. are a normal part of aging and found in everyone even if they have never had a back pain.

THere is a great deal of literature that talks about the overreading or over-interpretation of imaging by surgeons etc who have an interest in performing procedures on those structures while the evidence points to the fact that intervention rarely improves function and may worsen disability except in those circumstances where focal neurologic deficits are present.