Magnetic resonance imaging: a valuable method for diagnosing chronic lumbago caused by lumbar muscle strain and monitoring healing process.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive technique for evaluating the healing process and should be performed before the patients return to their exercise routines. The aim of this research was to diagnose chronic lumbago associated with lumbar muscle strain and to monitor healing process by MRI.

Methods: Sixty-fve symptomatic cases of chronic lumbago caused by lumbar muscle strain were collected from March 2009 to October 2011.