The associations between magnetic resonance imaging findings and low back pain: A 10-year longitudinal analysis.
Juichi TonosuHiroyuki OkaAkiro HigashikawaHiroshi OkazakiSakae TanakaKo MatsudairaPublished in: PloS one (2017)
Follow-up MRI findings consistent with Pfirrmann grading ≥4, disc bulging, HIZ, spondylolisthesis, and any type of Modic changes were not associated with LBP history during the 10 years between the baseline and follow-up study. The progresses of these findings were also not associated with the LBP history. In addition, baseline MRI findings were not associated with LBP history during the 10 years; therefore, our data suggest that baseline MRI findings cannot predict future LBP.