Will a Healed Herniated Disc Show Up on an MRI?

Can an MRI Detect a Healed Herniated Disc?

Herniated discs are a common spinal issue, often caused by injury, wear and tear, or heavy lifting. They occur when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its tougher outer layer, leading to pain, weakness, or numbness. When treated, herniated discs can heal or stabilize over time. This raises an intriguing question: Will a healed herniated disc still show up on an MRI scan?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful diagnostic tool used to examine spinal structures in detail. In this article, you will learn how healed herniated discs appear on MRI scans and what these results mean for your health.

What Happens when a Herniated Disc Heals?

Healing a herniated disc does not always mean the disc returns to its original state. Instead, healing often involves:

• Resorption of disc material – In some cases, the body reabsorbs the herniated material. This natural process reduces pressure on the nerves and alleviates symptoms.
• Scar tissue formation – Scar tissue may form at the site of the herniation, stabilizing the disc. While this does not restore the disc’s original structure, it prevents further protrusion.
• Reduction in inflammation – Over time, the inflammatory response that contributes to pain and discomfort subsides, leading to symptom relief.

How Do MRI Scans Work?

MRI scans use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body’s internal structures. They are particularly effective for examining soft tissues like spinal discs, which contain a high water content. This makes MRIs superior to other imaging techniques like X-rays or CT scans for diagnosing disc-related issues.

An MRI scan can detect:

• Disc protrusion or herniation
• Compression of nearby nerves
• Changes in disc hydration or degeneration
• Scar tissue and other signs of healing

Factors Affecting MRI Visibility

Several key elements influence whether a previously herniated disc will show up on an MRI:

• Healing stage – The more recently the herniation occurred, the more likely it is to be visible.
• Extent of original damage – Severe herniations may leave more persistent imaging markers.
• Individual healing variability – Each patient’s biological repair mechanisms differ.

The Potential for a Healed Herniated Disc to Be Seen on an MRI

While a healed herniated disc may not always be visible on an MRI, there are a few factors to consider:

• The extent of healing

• Complete healing – If the herniated disc has completely healed, meaning the tear in the annulus fibrosus has closed and the nucleus pulposus has returned to its normal position, it may not be visible on an MRI.
• Partial healing – If the disc has partially healed, there may still be evidence of the herniation, such as a small bulge or a slight indentation in the disc.

• Scar tissue formation
  • Scar tissue can form around the site of the herniation as part of the healing process. This scar tissue may be visible on an MRI and can sometimes mimic the appearance of a herniated disc.

• Degenerative disc disease

• As we age, our discs naturally degenerate, leading to changes in their shape and structure. If you have underlying degenerative disc disease, these changes may be visible on an MRI, even if your herniated disc has healed.

• MRI technique and interpretation

  • The specific MRI technique used and the radiologist’s interpretation of the images can also influence the visibility of a healed herniated disc.

What Do Radiologists Look For?

Radiologists interpret MRIs by assessing:

• Disc size, shape, and position
• The presence of scar tissue or inflammation
• Nerve compression or relief after treatment

A healed disc may show decreased nerve compression or the absence of a previously noted protrusion, indicating successful recovery.

Why Do Healed Discs Sometimes Still Appear Abnormal?

Healing does not always restore the disc to its pre-injury condition. Residual abnormalities can include:

• Degeneration – Wear and tear over time can lead to further disc damage.
• Structural changes – Healing may leave behind irregularities that look abnormal on imaging but do not cause symptoms.

While MRIs provide valuable insights into spinal health, they should be interpreted alongside clinical evaluations. Not all disc abnormalities visible on an MRI cause symptoms. Therefore, treatment decisions should consider both imaging results and patient-reported symptoms.

Clinical Implications of MRI Findings

While MRIs provide valuable insights, they are only part of the diagnostic puzzle. Physicians also consider:

• Symptoms – Persistent pain or functional limitations
• Physical exams – Tests to assess strength, flexibility, and nerve function
• Treatment history – The effectiveness of interventions like physical therapy or back surgery.

Even if an MRI shows residual abnormalities, a lack of symptoms may indicate the disc has healed effectively.

When Should You Get a Follow-Up MRI?

A follow-up MRI may be necessary if:

• Symptoms persist despite treatment
• New symptoms, such as weakness or numbness, arise
• There is a need to evaluate surgical outcomes or monitor for reherniation

Reherniation of Healed Discs 

Unfortunately, a healed disc can reherniate under certain circumstances, especially if subjected to excessive strain or injury. Preventative measures include:

• Practicing proper lifting techniques
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Strengthening core muscles to support the spine

A healed herniated disc may or may not show up on an MRI, depending on how the healing occurred. While complete resorption may result in a normal appearance, scar tissue or degenerative changes can leave visible signs of the past injury.

If you are recovering from a herniated disc, an MRI can provide valuable insights into your progress. However, always pair imaging findings with clinical assessments for a comprehensive understanding of your spinal health.

If you are experiencing back pain or recovering from a herniated disc, consult a specialist for personalized care. Early intervention and proper treatment can make a significant difference in your recovery journey.

Imaging tests can be very effective at diagnosing a wide range of spine-related issues, and they can help your doctor make final decisions about recommended treatment, which may eventually include discussing and recommending a surgical procedure such as a lumbar discectomy. If you have a herniated disc that is not responding to conservative treatment, a discectomy or less invasive microdiscectomy may be discussed and potentially recommended. Although this is generally a very successful procedure, having a large hole in the outer ring of the disc more than doubles the risk of needing another operation. A new treatment, Barricaid, is a bone-anchored device that closes this hole, and 95 percent of Barricaid patients did not undergo a reoperation due to reherniation in a 2-year study timeframe. This treatment is done immediately following the discectomy—during the same operation—and does not require any additional incisions or time in the hospital. 

If you have any questions about the Barricaid treatment, ask your doctor or contact us directly.

For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions.