Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, and lumbar spine MRIs are ordered millions of times each year. Yet many patients walk away from their MRI appointment with more questions than answers.
You may have been told:
- “Your MRI is normal.”
- “Nothing here explains your pain.”
- “These findings are just age-related.”
However, you get no comfort as the pain persists.
A “normal” or vague lumbar spine MRI report does not always mean there’s no cause for your symptoms. It often means the exam wasn’t interpreted with the level of specialization required to connect imaging findings to real-world pain.
Why Lumbar Spine MRIs Are Often Misunderstood
The lumbar spine is complex. Small differences in anatomy, disc position, nerve compression, or joint degeneration can dramatically change how a patient feels but may look subtle on imaging.
General radiology reports often list findings without answering the most important question:
Is this what’s causing my pain?
Commonly Missed or Understated Findings
Without a musculoskeletal (MSK) subspecialist or neuroradiologist reviewing the images, important pain-generating issues may be overlooked or minimized, including:
- Subtle nerve root impingement
- Foraminal or far-lateral disc herniations
- Annular tears
- Early facet joint arthritis
- Pars defects or stress fractures
- Clinically significant spinal stenosis labeled as “mild”
- Poor correlation between imaging findings and the patient’s symptoms
These “small” misses can have major consequences, especially when treatment decisions are based on them.
Why This Matters Before Injections or Surgery
Lumbar spine MRIs frequently guide decisions about:
- Epidural steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Discectomy or spinal fusion
If the imaging findings are incomplete, misinterpreted, or not tied to symptoms, patients may undergo invasive treatments that fail, or were never necessary to begin with.
The Value of a Second Opinion from a Spine Subspecialist
A second opinion doesn’t mean your original report was wrong. It means the images are being reviewed again, this time by a radiologist who specializes in spine imaging and understands how subtle findings can translate into real pain.
A focused second opinion can:
- Clarify which findings actually matter
- Identify overlooked causes of pain
- Help confirm or challenge a surgical recommendation
- Give you confidence before proceeding with treatment
Why So Many Patients Seek Second Opinions During the Holidays
The end of the year is when many people:
- Hit insurance deductibles
- Have more time to focus on unresolved pain
- Want answers before committing to procedures in the new year
A second opinion can provide clarity and peace of mind before making major medical decisions.
Get a Second Opinion Today
At MDView, patients connect directly with board-certified radiologists who specialize in spine imaging to review their existing lumbar MRI studies. Our role is to connect you with expert radiologists who can provide a clear, expert second opinions based solely on what is visible in the images, helping patients better understand their findings before moving forward with injections, surgery, or other treatments. When your MRI raises questions or doesn’t explain your pain, a focused second opinion can help you make more informed decisions with confidence.
Visit https://app.mdview.com to upload your exam and get peace of mind today. Don't have your exam to upload? No problem! Most hospitals and imaging centers send exams to MDView electronically, typically within two business days or less. Simply click Have MDView Get My Exam on the homepage of your MDView account to get started.
Peace of mind is just a few clicks away!