My MRI came back negetive.....where is my pain coming from then?

[bruin1]

I have been having lower back pain and my doctor ordered an MRI and the results came back negative...I thought an MRI picks up everything..I am Confused does this mean i shouldn't be feeling pain??????

[On the up side]

Don't always believe a "normal" MRI result.  My husband had a repeat MRI 3 days before his discectomy (they lost the first one) and the radiologist accidentally read it as "normal", completely missed the herniated disc.  Luckily his neurosurgeon always reviews the films himself.  The Doc. is right.  There are lots of other tests, CT Myelograms, bone scans, etc.  Get a second opinion and if you are lucky, it is just musculoskeletal.  Good luck.  It's not easy hearing them say there is nothing wrong with you!

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

A normal MRI does not mean that the spine is entirely normal. Sometimes, you can have nerve root compression that is not easily visible on imaging studies. Or it could be musculoskeletal type symptoms like lower back muscle spasms that will not show up on the MRI. You feel what you feel, despite what any test may say. A good neurological exam and clinical history cannot be replaced by pictures of your back. If you feel that there may be something wrong, consider getting a second opinion by a neurologist. Good luck.