People generally think that they should feel pain if the doctor finds spine degeneration in their MRI scan or X-ray. Important studies show that this is just a myth and patients shouldn’t worry as much as they do.
Imaging findings of spine degeneration are present in high proportions of people with no symptoms. Many imaging-based degenerative features are likely part of normal aging and unassociated with pain.
Remember… degeneration doesn’t equal pain.
Reference
– Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, Bresnahan BW, Chen LE, Deyo RA et al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. American Journal of Neuroradiology. 2015 Apr 1;36(4):811-816. Available from, DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A4173
Spanish version
