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- MRI Alone Can’t Explain Spinal Pain in Dogs—New Study Finds Key Predictors
MRI Alone Can’t Explain Spinal Pain in Dogs—New Study Finds Key Predictors
Animals 2025
Obi Veterinary Education
December 17, 2025
Roger Medina-Serra, Patricia López-Abradelo, Eliseo Belda, Holly Riding-Medina, Francisco G. Laredo, Rachel Marwood, Verónica Mortera, José I. Redondo
Background
Diagnosing spinal pain in dogs is complex due to the presence of multiple concurrent pathologies. While MRI is the gold standard for detecting spinal abnormalities, not all MRI findings correlate with clinical pain. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between MRI-diagnosed lumbar and lumbosacral pathologies and pain to improve clinical decision-making.
Methods
The study retrospectively reviewed MRI scans and clinical records from 518 client-owned dogs. Using multivariable logistic regression, researchers assessed the associations between MRI-detected spinal pathologies and pain while adjusting for demographic factors such as age and weight.
Results
Intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusion was the primary pathology associated with lumbar pain, while radiculopathy had the strongest association with lumbosacral pain. Other conditions linked to pain included foraminal stenosis, IVD bulging, and IVD protrusion. However, some dogs with MRI abnormalities showed no clinical pain, and some dogs with pain had no MRI-detectable pathology. The study also found overlapping pain responses between spinal and hip conditions, complicating diagnosis.
Limitations
The study was retrospective and relied on medical records for pain assessment, which may introduce bias. Additionally, while MRI is a powerful diagnostic tool, it cannot fully capture the dynamic nature of spinal pathology and pain.
Conclusions
MRI findings should not be interpreted in isolation when diagnosing spinal pain in dogs. A comprehensive approach that includes clinical examination and additional diagnostic techniques is crucial for accurate pain assessment and treatment planning.
Forest plots showing log-odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for MRI-diagnosed pathologies associated with pain across three models. The general model evaluates the associations with overall pain, the lumbar model examines lumbar pathologies and their association with lumbar pain (excluding lumbosacral pathology), and the lumbosacral model evaluates lumbosacral pathologies and their association with lumbosacral pain (excluding lumbar pathology).
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