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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Correspondence

The relationship between Modic changes and intervertebral disc degeneration

Authors: Juhani H. Määttä, Alex MacGregor, Jaro Karppinen, Frances M. K. Williams

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Recent reported results have added to the weight of evidence supporting association between disc degeneration and Modic changes. Endplate or Modic changes are also associated with increased body mass index. The most recent study from Teichtahl et al. titled ‘Modic changes in the lumbar spine and their association with body composition, fat distribution and intervertebral disc height – a 3.0 T-MRI study’ showed associations of Modic changes with quantitatively measured reduced disc height and fat mass index. However, there were some facts, which we would like to address in this Correspondence to their article.

Discussion

The different components of intervertebral disc degeneration such as loss of disc height and disc signal intensity have already been shown associated with endplate changes – but not disc height if it is assessed using newer more precise methods of quantitation of disc height. A possible protective effect of different adiposity distribution in the body to Modic change development would be of interest if observed in a longitudinal study in the future.

Summary

Modic changes have been associated with different components of intervertebral disc degeneration such as loss of disc height and disc signal intensity previously. The influence of body fat distribution on endplate changes would be interesting to study longitudinally.

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Karchevsky M, Schweitzer ME, Carrino JA, Zoga A, Montgomery D, Parker L. Reactive endplate marrow changes: a systematic morphologic and epidemiologic evaluation. Skeletal Radiol. 2005;34(3):125–9.CrossRefPubMed

Kuisma M, Karppinen J, Haapea M, Niinimäki J, Ojala R, Heliövaara M, et al. Are the determinants of vertebral endplate changes and severe disc degeneration in the lumbar spine the same? A magnetic resonance imaging study in middle-aged male workers. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2008;9:51.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

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Määttä JH, Wadge S, MacGregor A, Karppinen J, Williams FM. ISSLS Prize Winner: Vertebral Endplate (Modic) Change is an Independent Risk Factor for Episodes of Severe and Disabling Low Back Pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015;40(15):1187–93.CrossRef

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Kerttula L, Luoma K, Vehmas T, Grönblad M, Kääpä E. Modic type I change may predict rapid progressive, deforming disc degeneration: a prospective 1-year follow-up study. Eur Spine J. 2012;21(6):1135–42.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Teichtahl AJ, Urquhart DM, Wang Y, Wluka AE, Heritier S, Cicuttini FM. A Dose–response relationship between severity of disc degeneration and intervertebral disc height in the lumbosacral spine. Arthritis Res Ther. 2015;17:297. doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0820-1.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

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Title: The relationship between Modic changes and intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Juhani H. Määttä
Alex MacGregor
Jaro Karppinen
Frances M. K. Williams
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-016-1198-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The relationship between Modic changes and intervertebral disc degeneration

Abstract

Background

Discussion

Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Discussion

Summary

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