Why your X-Ray / MRI might not show your pain

Your X-Ray, MRI, or CT may not relate to your pain as much as you think it does 🤷🏻‍♂️ Imaging findings in asymptomatic people (people with no pain or problem) are extremely high.

An estimated 40% of asymptomatic people will have a “Bulging Disc” on MRI 🛑 Disc herniations have even been shown to spontaneously resolve at a high rate 💥 The overall incidence of spontaneous resorption after LDH was 66.66% (95% CI 51% - 69%). The incidence in the United Kingdom was 82.94% (95% CI 63.77% - 102.11%).

The incidence in Japan was 62.58% (95% CI 55.71% - 69.46%). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28072... 🤯🤯🤯 90% of asymptomatic people show bulging discs in their neck on MRI ❌ 1/3 of people over the age of 30 and 2/3 of people over the age of 70 have abnormal MRI findings related to their shoulders.

After completing their rehabilitation and achieving full range of motion and function, 90% of patients MRI reports still show abnormal findings and up to 20% still show complete rotator cuff tears. 💢 In asymptomatic people 20%-50% of MRI’s performed on the knees reveal significant degenerative changes. 🆘

What does this all mean? It means that luckily for you, your scan likely has little to do with your experience of pain 🤷🏻‍♂️ If you’re in pain you should try moving more, and exercising the painful area, it wouldn’t hurt to get evaluated by an evidence-based clinician, so if you want some help, I’d be happy to evaluate you in the clinic.