CORRELATION BETWEEN MRI FINDINGS AND CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN

Abstract

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is defined as pain in the lower back region lasting for more than 12 weeks. It is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, affecting people of all ages and contributing to disability worldwide. CLBP can result from various causes, including degenerative changes, poor posture, or previous injuries. Objective: Correlation between MRI findings and clinical manifestations in patients with chronic low back pain. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Mayo Hospital Lahore over a duration of 3 months, using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. A total of 100 participants aged above 25 with clinical symptoms like tear, swelling, or ligament injury, and eligible for MRI were included. Patients with prior spinal surgery, neurological disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, or MRI contraindications were excluded. MRI scans were performed using a 1.5 Tesla machine. Results: A total of 100 patients participated in this study. Among them, 46% were aged 20-40, 47% were aged 40-60, and 7% were above 60 years. The gender distribution was nearly equal, with 49% male and 51% female. The majority of patients (55%) experienced pain in the 7-10 grade range, and 49% reported back pain as the primary site of discomfort. Degeneration was present in 15% of cases, while spinal stenosis affected 63% of participants. Other conditions such as facet joint arthritis, lumbar spondylosis, and nerve root narrowing were seen in 6%, 27%, and 59% of patients, respectively. Muscle spasm was observed in 53%, and 11% had osteoporosis. Conclusion: The Correlation highlights a clear Corelation between MRI findings and the clinical symptoms observed in patients with chronic low back pain. Structural abnormalities such as spinal stenosis, nerve root narrowing, and degeneration were found to correlate closely with pain intensity and its distribution. These insights underscore the importance of using MRI as a key diagnostic tool in understanding the complexities of chronic low back pain, enabling more effective and personalized treatment strategies.