Table 2.

MRI scoring options and criteria

MRI feature	Scoring options	Scoring criteria/guidelines
Disc degeneration	Grade 1–5	As per Pfirrmann et al. [15]
High-intensity zone	Yes or no	As per April and Bogduk [16]
Modic changes	No, grade 1, 2, or 3	As per Fardon et al. [17]
Annular tears	Yes or no	As per Fardon et al. [17]
Disc herniation	Nil, bulge, protrusion, extrusiona	As per Fardon et al. [17]

^aProtrusions and extrusion were considered as herniations while bulges were considered as negative