
09/05/2025
A great graph by Spine Care Partners and shared by the Primary Spine Provider Network! Common MRI findings in healthy PAIN-FREE individuals include: degenerative disc disease, disc bulges, disc height loss, bone spurs or osteophytes, facet arthritis, and more! There is also little to no correlation between severity of physical findings on imaging and complaints of pain or disability.
What does that mean? Medical Imaging and MRIs can be helpful in specific cases, but can often lead to fear, distress, unnecessary excessive medical intervention including shots and surgery, and avoidance of physical activity when the findings are not accurately communicated.
Takeaway? MOST adults will have some scary looking medical imaging when it comes to our spine and joints. Those findings are typically NORMAL and EXPECTED. Beware any provider who evaluates you with medical imaging ONLY (without putting their hands on your painful area and evaluating your movement) and starts talking about injections or surgery before offering conservative care first!!!