Low back pain and modic markers of cytokines

Low back pain is very common and the markers to indicate why some people hurt and others do not, has been of a recent investigation. In The Spine Journal ¹, just this month, researchers looked closer at modic changes and the chemicals that generate as a result. Modic changes were first identified by Michael Modic ² in 1988 as unique findings on MR.

There is no doubt that disk degeneration appears to be related to low back pain, even if many asymptomatic people do have degenerative findings on MRI. ³ What seems to be the difference is the degree of inflammation in those that suffer with low back pain and those that don’t suffer.

Cytokines are inflammation markers, and in this study, these researchers found that Type 2 modic changes where associated with these markers and concluded:

“These results further strengthen the link between Modic Changes and low back pain”

The location of inflammation is something that is important to share with patients. Whether it is inflammation from the annulus within the disc itself, or whether MRI findings show intravertebral inflammation due to irritation to the basivertebral nerve, Dynamic Disc Designs develops models to help with spine education.

In a recent poll,

Do you know what patients really care about when choosing a spine surgeon?

Patients ranked Communicates well / Explains medical condition, symptoms, surgical, and non-surgical treatment options @ 17.7%.