Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC Calmly Considers MRIs Modic Changes

“Your MRI shows some Modic changes.” Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC says “Do not fret too much.” Our La Grande back pain and neck pain patients are in good company concerning MRI reports reporting Modic changes. The research is developing about just what Modic changes on MRI suggest for a patient..and what they do not. Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC creates some perspective about these usual MRI findings.

WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?

“Modic changes” is a phrase used to explain the degenerative changes to the vertebral endplates. Modic type I changes are basically considered to be bone marrow edema and inflammation signifying acute degenerative changes.  Modic type II changes signify fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic III changes are the replacement of bone with bony sclerosis with minimal bone marrow left. (1) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC likes the chance to take care of a painful back earlier in this cascade of change whenever possible. Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.

WHAT MODIC CHANGES TELL ABOUT THE SPINE?

Modic changes are familiar findings on MRI. Modic changes on MRI are seen in spinal degenerative diseases and are strongly related to low back pain. (1) They are age-related degenerative findings that come with disc degeneration. Greater Modic changes were tied to higher age, higher body mass index, and adjacent disc degeneration. (2) Lifestyle and occupational factors like cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and nonappearance of daily vehicle vibration looked to have slight effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly, Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC encourages proper lifestyle choices for overall good health!

WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT RECOVERY?

What is unclear is the research about just what Modic changes mean for back pain patients. Recent research demonstrated that Modic changes were not found to be negatively affiliated with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The study reported that low back pain patients who had Modic changes had much less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is encouraging info to our La Grande chiropractic back pain patients!

CONTACT Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Robert Rudy on The Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who detailed his treatment plan with the Cox® Technic System for their back pain relief to his patients so they get it.

Schedule your La Grande chiropractic appointment now. Bring your MRIs with you. Together, Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC and you will look at them for information and develop a treatment plan for La Grande back pain relief that will keep us both from panicking!