Background Modic changes (MC) are inflammatory changes in the end plates of the vertebrae, also known as end plate edema [3]. MC occur at a median of 6% in the general population and a median of 43% in clinical populations in the secondary sector [4]. In patients on sick leave do to lumbar back pain MC is detected in 60% [5]. The changes can be seen on MR imaging, but not on X-ray [3].