08/23/2026
Imaging can really give peace of mind to an individual with pain. It allows for us to point at a structure and say this needs to heal before we are pain-free. The tough part is just because that structure might look different. Doesn’t mean it’s necessarily driving the pain.
In MRI studies of the low back, up to 50% of 30+ year-old individuals present with structural change, but do not have back pain.
An image should only be done to confirm clinical impressions not be done, blindly, looking for things. A good evaluation with range of motion, strength, and special test should drive imaging decisions.
If you are looking for the next step in injury recovery, please reach out!