ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to investigate whether Modic changes by MRI are associated with the likelihood of recurrence of herniation in the lumbar discs.

Twenty-six consecutive patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation were included in the study. In this period, 1,427 patients were operated on for lumbar disc hernia.

Modic changes at the relevant vertebral level were detected in 20 patients (76.9%) who were aged between 30 and 68 years old. The rate of detection of Modic changes in 1,401 patients with no recurrence in the two year follow-up period was only 13.8%. The recurrence of lumbar disc hernia was seen postoperatively between 6 and 12 months for four patients, between 12 and 18 months for 17 patients, and between 18 and 24 months for five patients.

Modic changes in the MRIs of patients with lumbar disc herniation increase the rate of recurrence and shorten the time of recurrence. Prospectively designed studies on wider populations are required for further elucidation.