Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with and without Waddell Signs

Patients with WS present a difficult diagnostic challenge for the physician as their organic symptoms are often coexistent with emotional fear avoidance behavior. Although there is more overall pathology in patients without WS, a significant number of these patients appear to have comparable spinal pathology with equivalent severity, which may be contributing to patients' symptoms and disability. Presence of these non-organic symptoms often makes us doubt these patients. However, as part of effective treatment, physicians should better understand both the physical and psychological components of patient disability.