TABLE 2. Descriptive Outcomes Post-MRI.
| MRI Groups by Severity | Injection | EMG/NCV | Advanced Imaging | Surgery | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 mo, % | 6 mo, % | 3 mo, % | 6 mo, % | 3 mo, % | 6 mo, % | 3 mo, % | 6 mo, % | |
| No MRI less severe (n = 1546) | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.5 |
| No MRI more severe (n = 271) | 2.6 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Timely MRI less severe (n = 214) | 25.2 | 35.5 | 6.1 | 11.2 | 7.0 | 13.1 | 0.9 | 2.8 |
| Timely MRI more severe (n = 209) | 27.8 | 36.8 | 9.6 | 13.9 | 5.3 | 10.0 | 5.3 | 8.6 |
| Early MRI less severe (n = 458) | 33.0 | 38.9 | 8.1 | 12.2 | 7.6 | 14.4 | 8.1 | 13.3 |
| Early MRI more severe (n = 324) | 36.7 | 46.6 | 13.9 | 17.6 | 8.6 | 17.0 | 10.2 | 16.0 |
Percentages represent the frequency of the first receipt of these outcomes post-MRI within each MRI diagnostic group. Injections include injections of the epidural space, facet and sacroiliac joints, and trigger points. Advanced imaging includes myelography, discography, CT scans, bone scans, and repeat MRIs. Surgery includes lumbar discectomy, laminectomy, and fusions.
MRI indicates magnetic resonance imaging; CT, computed tomography; EMG/NCV, electromyography/nerve conduction velocity.