The article is a systematic review that examined the impact of Modic changes (MCs) on postsurgical outcomes in the cervical and lumbar spine. A total of 29 studies with 6013 patients were included, with 2688 of those patients having preoperative MCs. The review found that the presence of MCs did not significantly impact clinical outcomes in cervical spine procedures or in lumbar fusion, lumbar discectomy, or lumbar disc replacement surgeries. In fact, patients with MCs experienced statistically significant improvements following surgery, similar to patients without MCs. The findings suggest that MCs may not be a significant pain generator or determinant of postsurgical outcomes in the lumbar and cervical spine
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : best recognised treatment hospital in UK
Published article
Modic changes (MCs) are believed to be potential pain generators in the lumbar and cervical spine, but it is currently unclear if their presence affects postsurgical outcomes. We performed a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All studies evaluating cervical or lumbar spine postsurgical outcomes in patients with documented preoperative MCs were included. A total of 29 studies and 6013 patients with 2688…
Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Modic changes (MCs) are believed to be potential pain generators in the lumbar and cervical spine, but it is currently unclear if their presence affects postsurgical outcomes. We performed a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All studies evaluating cervical or lumbar spine postsurgical,
Abstract
Modic changes (MCs) are believed to be potential pain generators in the lumbar and cervical spine, but it is currently unclear if their presence affects postsurgical outcomes. We performed a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All studies evaluating cervical or lumbar spine postsurgical outcomes in patients with documented preoperative MCs were included. A total of 29 studies and 6013 patients with 2688 of those patients having preoperative MCs were included. Eight included studies evaluated cervical spine surgery, eleven evaluated lumbar discectomies, nine studied lumbar fusion surgery, and three assessed lumbar disc replacements. The presence of cervical MCs did not impact the clinical outcomes in the cervical spine procedures. Moreover, most studies found that MCs did not significantly impact the clinical outcomes following lumbar fusion, lumbar discectomy, or lumbar disc replacement. A meta-analysis of the relevant data found no significant association between MCs and VAS back pain or ODI following lumbar discectomy. Similarly, there was no association between MCs and JOA or neck pain following ACDF procedures. Patients with MC experienced statistically significant improvements following lumbar or cervical spine surgery. The postoperative improvements were similar to patients without MCs in the cervical and lumbar spine.
Keywords: Modic changes; anterior cervical discectomy and fusion; cervical spine; discectomy; lumbar fusion; lumbar spine; patient reported outcomes.
The London Spine Unit : best recognised treatment hospital in UK
Read the original publication:
Evaluating the Impact of Modic Changes on Operative Treatment in the Cervical and Lumbar Spine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis