MODIC VERTEBRAL ENDPLATE MARROW CHANGES AND FACET JOINT ARTHROSIS ON MRI AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH CLINICAL SYMPTOMS

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to establish a relationship between the Modic endplate changes and facet arthrosis on MRI spine and correlation with severity of clinical symptoms by using self-assessed modied Oswestry Disability Index and visual analogue scale. Materials And Methods: The study involved 100 patients with low backache who underwent MRI lumbar spine at M.S. Ramaiah Hospitals, recording demographic details and clinical data. MRI images were analyzed for Modic changes and facet arthrosis. Results: Among 100 patients of low backache the majority were aged between 61 to 70 years (32%) with majority of the patients were females accounting to 60%, with males being 40%. In our study based on visual analogue scale among patients with type I Modic changes, 73.9% had severe pain and 26.1% had very severe pain. Among subjects with type II or III Modic changes 100% had mild pain. Based on Oswestry disability index subjects with type I Modic changes, 91.3% had severe disability and 8.7% had very complete disability. Among subjects with type II or III Modic changes 100% had mild disability. In our study among subjects with grade 2 facet arthrosis had moderate pain, grade 3 and grade 4 had severe pain. There Conclusion: was a positive correlation between MC and facet arthrosis on MRI with severity of clinical symptoms. MRI is a sensitive imaging modality which can detect early changes of degeneration.