Ten conditions a lumbar spine MRI scan helps to diagnose

When your healthcare provider recommends an MRI scan of your lower back, you are probably wondering what a lumber spine MRI can actually help find and what answers your provider is looking for. A lumbar spine MRI scan provides detailed images of the bones and soft tissues in your lower back, helping identify issues that are not clear through physical exams or symptoms alone.

A lumbar spine MRI scan can reveal a wide range of possible causes behind back pain, numbness, weakness, or limited movement. It’s often used to look for problems with spinal discs, nerves, joints, or bones, and can also help identify less common conditions such as infections or tumors. 

Gateway Diagnostic Imaging features 3T MRIs at every location providing your provider with elevated image quality to get the answers you need to address your lower back pain.  Let’s take a closer look at ten common conditions a MRI scan of the lower back can help diagnose.

#1. Herniated or bulging spinal discs 

A lumbar spine MRI scan can show when the soft, cushion-like discs between the bones in your spine are pushing out of place. These bulging or herniated discs can press on nearby nerves and cause lower back pain, tingling, or leg weakness.

The scan can help pinpoint exactly where the disc is bulging and how much pressure it’s putting on the surrounding structures. This is especially helpful when physical symptoms point to nerve irritation but the cause isn’t yet clear.

#2. Degenerative disc disease 

Over time, the spinal discs in your lower back can start to dry out and wear down, leading to a condition known as degenerative disc disease. A lumbar spine MRI scan can capture these changes in detail and help show whether the discs have shrunk or lost their cushioning.

This condition can cause stiffness, chronic pain, or a feeling that your back isn’t moving the way it used to. The scan helps determine how advanced the disc wear is and whether it’s affecting nearby nerves or joints.

#3. Nerve compression or sciatica 

Sometimes, nerves in the lower spine become pinched or pressed by surrounding structures, leading to nerve compression or sciatica. This can result in sharp pain that shoots down the leg, numbness, or muscle weakness.

A lumbar spine MRI scan helps locate the exact spot where a nerve is being squeezed, which can guide next steps for relieving the pressure and easing your symptoms.

#4. Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces within your lower spine become too narrow, putting pressure on the nerves. This can cause cramping, pain, or heaviness in your legs, especially when standing or walking.

A MRI scan provides a clear picture of how much narrowing has occurred and which areas are affected. This information is key to figuring out how your condition is impacting your mobility.

#5. Arthritis of the spine

Just like hips or knees, the small joints in your lower back can develop arthritis over time. When these joints become inflamed or worn, they can make movement painful and stiff.

An MRI scan shows whether the joint surfaces are rough or irregular, and if bone spurs have formed, which can help explain why everyday movements might be painful or difficult.

#6. Inflammatory spine conditions

Certain autoimmune conditions, like ankylosing spondylitis, can cause inflammation in the spine. This inflammation can lead to pain, stiffness, and long-term changes in the spine’s structure.

A 3T MRI scan can reveal early signs of inflammation or joint fusion in the lower back. This is especially helpful when symptoms are vague or have been coming and going for a while.

#7. Slipped vertebrae (Spondylolisthesis)

In some cases, one of the bones in your spine may slide out of place, a condition called spondylolisthesis. This misalignment can put stress on nerves and nearby joints, leading to pain or instability.

A lumbar spine MRI scan can measure how far the vertebra has shifted and whether it’s affecting nearby structures. This helps guide decisions about treatment or physical support.

#8. Fractures in the lower back

Lower back fractures can happen from falls, accidents, or even weakened bones. These breaks may be small and hard to feel at first, but they can worsen if not addressed.

While an MRI can help to identify soft tissue injuries around the break or the presence of active bone marrow indicating an injury to an area,  a lower back CT scan is typically used to detect even tiny cracks or breaks in the vertebrae. It also helps show whether the bones are stable or at risk of moving further out of place.

#9. Spinal tumors or abnormal growths

Sometimes, a mass or growth can develop in or around the spinal column. These may be noncancerous or cancerous and can press on nerves or weaken bones.

A lumbar spine MRI scan helps identify the size, shape, and location of any unusual growths. This is important when symptoms are unexplained or when other causes have been ruled out.

#10. Infections affecting the spine

Though less common, infections can affect the bones or soft tissues in the lower spine. These infections may cause pain, fever, or swelling, and can become serious if not spotted early.

MRI imaging can help reveal signs of infection like bone damage, swelling, or fluid buildup, which allows for quicker treatment and helps prevent the infection from spreading.

How to schedule your lower back MRI scan with us

When you get your scan at one of Gateway’s outpatient imaging centers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, we’ll make sure you have access to affordable, high-quality 3T MRI imaging from specialized radiologists and certified technologists. 

Reach out to a Gateway imaging center near you, and schedule your appointment today.