Early MRI Scans Following Back Injury Won’t Improve Odds of Recovery

Undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan won’t increase your chances of a good recovery following a back injury, suggests a study that appears in the Aug. 15 issue of Spine. In fact, early MRI scanning as part of early assessment of back injuries may even prolong disability, according to the research.

For the study, Janessa M. Graves, MPH, PhD, and colleagues of University of Washington, Seattle, analyzed Washington State workers compensation data for 1,226 employees with acute lower back injury. About 78 percent of the injured workers were classified as having mild to major sprains, while 22 percent had injury involving the spinal nerve roots (radiculopathy). For more information, click here to read the full release.