MRI findings of disc protrusion , nerve root displacement or compression , disc degeneration , and high intensity zone are all associated with LBP , but individually , none of these abnormalities provides a strong indication that LBP is attributable to underlying pathology .
This limits their value in refining epidemiological case definitions for LBP
OBJECTIVE to assess how confidently  low back pain ( LBP ) can be attributed to abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) , and thereby explore the potential value of MRI abnormalities in refining case definition for mechanical LBP in epidemiological research .
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA most epidemiological studies of mechanical LBP have defined cases only by reported symptoms , but it is possible that the potency of causes differs depending on whether there is demonstrable underlying spinal pathology .
Pain Drawings in the Assessment of Nerve Root Compression: A Comparative Study With Lumbar Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Study Design . Prospect i ve comparative study of pain drawings with findings on lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging . Objectives . To assess the ability of the  pain drawing  to predict the presence of nerve root compression . Summary of Background Data . Most research work has concentrated on the ability of the pain drawing to act as a screening method for psychological distress with less work directed at the influence the anatomic abnormality has on the pain drawing . Methods . One hundred thirty‐four consecutive out‐ patients attending for lumbar magnetic resonance imaging in the investigation of back and leg pain completed pain drawings and psychological testing immediately before the examination . The pain drawing was analyzed by previously reported criteria , and the magnetic resonance imaging was assessed independently for the presence of nerve compression by three radiologists . Multivariate stepwise discriminant analysis was used to identify patients with nerve compression on the basis of their pain drawing . Results . Nerve compression was predicted by numbness in the anterolateral aspect of the foot . There was considerable overlap in the appearances of the pain drawings between patients with and without nerve compression , and the pain drawing correctly classified only 58 % of patients with nerve compression . Conclusions . The pain drawing is not a good predictor of nerve compression on magnetic resonance imaging in a group of patients investigated for back and leg pain . It should be interpreted with caution and in light of the full clinical picture
MRI findings of disc protrusion , nerve root displacement or compression , disc degeneration , and high intensity zone are all associated with LBP , but individually , none of these abnormalities provides a strong indication that LBP is attributable to underlying pathology .
This limits their value in refining epidemiological case definitions for LBP
OBJECTIVE to assess how confidently  low back pain ( LBP ) can be attributed to abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) , and thereby explore the potential value of MRI abnormalities in refining case definition for mechanical LBP in epidemiological research .
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA most epidemiological studies of mechanical LBP have defined cases only by reported symptoms , but it is possible that the potency of causes differs depending on whether there is demonstrable underlying spinal pathology .