Schmorl nodes seen by chance on a spine scan
An x-ray, CT or MRI of the chest, belly or spine done for something else may report "Schmorl nodes" or "Schmorl's nodes". This means small dents where soft disc material has pushed into the bone of the spine. They are common and are often found by chance. (Kyere 2012) This page covers what the report means, how common they are and when they matter, not treatment.
What the report words mean
- Schmorl node. The soft centre of a disc has pushed through the thin plate of cartilage and bone (the end plate) into the vertebra next to it, leaving a small dent. Unlike a disc bulge, it pushes up or down into the bone, not back towards the nerves. (Kyere 2012)
- Where they are. Most are in the lower part of the upper back, between the 8th and 12th thoracic vertebrae, and in the upper low back. (Kyere 2012)(Teraguchi 2026)
- Single or multiple. A report may say there is one, or several at different levels. In a large population study about half of the people with Schmorl nodes had them at more than one level. (Teraguchi 2026)
- On x-ray versus MRI. MRI shows them best. A plain x-ray mostly picks up older ones that have a rim of calcium around them. MRI can also show swelling in the bone around a node, which the review links with nodes that cause pain. (Kyere 2012)
- With disc wear. Schmorl nodes are often reported next to disc wear on the same scan. In one hospital study, 89% of people with Schmorl nodes also had disc wear somewhere in the spine. (Jagannathan 2016) See disc bulge or wear.
How common they are, by age and sex
The Wakayama Spine Study in Japan looked at MRI of the lower spine in 970 adults aged 21 to 97 from the general population. 40% had at least one Schmorl node: 36% of men and 42% of women. (Teraguchi 2026)
| Age | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | 30% | 9% |
| 50 to 59 | 28% | 30% |
| 60 to 69 | 44% | 40% |
| 70 to 79 | 33% | 58% |
| 80 and over | 42% | 61% |
| All ages | 36% | 42% |
In women, Schmorl nodes became steadily more common with age. In men, the study found no clear link with age. (Teraguchi 2026) The groups under 50 were small (37 men and 88 women), so those numbers are less certain. Other studies have found 30% in twins on MRI and 38% to 79% in older autopsy studies. (Kyere 2012)
When they matter
- Most need nothing. A review says Schmorl nodes are common and most cause no symptoms. (Kyere 2012)
- Sometimes painful. Some can be a source of back pain. The review says painful ones usually settle by themselves, though a few cause long-lasting low back pain. (Kyere 2012)
- Back pain and chance findings. In one study, 19% of people with low back pain had Schmorl nodes, and so did 9% of people with no back pain. A node on a scan is not always the cause of pain. (Kyere 2012)
- Repeat scans. The sources here do not set a routine repeat scan for a Schmorl node found by chance. Whether another scan is needed depends on your symptoms and the rest of the report. Your doctor decides.
- Bone density. One study in older adults linked Schmorl nodes with lower bone density, but another did not (see below). See low bone density seen on CT and bone density testing.
- Seeing a GP. The NHS says to see a GP for back pain that does not improve after a few weeks, stops you doing day-to-day things, comes with weight loss without trying, a lump or swelling or a change in the shape of your back, does not improve with rest or is worse at night, is worse when sneezing, coughing or pooing, or is between the shoulders. (NHS back pain)
- Worry is real. See after an abnormal screening result.
The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 (your local urgent care line elsewhere) if you have back pain and feel hot, cold, shivery or generally unwell, or the pain is severe and starts suddenly or gets worse quickly. It says to call 999 or go to A&E (your local emergency number elsewhere) for back pain with pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in both legs, loss of feeling around the genitals or anus, changes in bladder or bowels, changes in sexual feeling or function, chest pain, or pain after a serious accident. (NHS back pain)
Other things a scan may show
The same scan may mention other chance findings, each with its own page: a disc bulge or wear, a spine hemangioma and low bone density seen on CT.
Who it applies to
Adults told that a spine x-ray, CT or MRI, or a scan of another body part that included the spine, shows Schmorl nodes. Children, people already being seen for a spine condition, and a scan done because of back pain, weakness or numbness are outside this page.
Routine age-based screening
A spine finding on a scan does not replace the routine screenings for your age, such as bone density testing. See screenings by age and gender.
Where they differ:
- Women and men. The review cites a study that found Schmorl nodes more often in men. (Kyere 2012) The Wakayama study found them slightly more often in women, (Teraguchi 2026) and a Hong Kong study of people in their 80s found them in 56% of women and 26% of men. (Wang 2023)
- Age. The review says some studies link Schmorl nodes with older age and others do not. (Kyere 2012) The Wakayama study found a clear rise with age in women but not in men. (Teraguchi 2026)
- Bone density. The Hong Kong study linked Schmorl nodes with lower bone density and with spine fractures from bone thinning. (Wang 2023) The Wakayama study found no link with osteoporosis. (Teraguchi 2026)
- How common they are. A hospital MRI study in southern India found them in 9% of people, (Jagannathan 2016) compared with 30% in a twin MRI study, 38% to 79% in autopsy studies, (Kyere 2012) and 40% in the Wakayama study. (Teraguchi 2026) Studies used different scans, parts of the spine and groups of people.
Your doctor decides what your result means for you.
Questions people ask
What is a Schmorl node?
A Schmorl node is a small dent where soft material from the centre of a spinal disc has pushed through the end plate into the bone of the vertebra above or below. It is most often seen in the lower part of the upper back and the upper low back. (Kyere 2012)
How common are Schmorl nodes?
Common. In a Japanese population study of 970 adults, 40% had at least one on MRI of the lower spine. In a twin study, 30% had at least one. Older autopsy studies found them in 38% to 79% of people. (Teraguchi 2026) (Kyere 2012)
Do Schmorl nodes cause back pain?
Most cause no symptoms and are found by chance. A review says some can be painful, and that painful ones usually settle by themselves. In one study, 19% of people with low back pain had them, compared with 9% of people without back pain. (Kyere 2012)
Are Schmorl nodes linked to bone thinning?
The studies differ. A Hong Kong study of people in their 80s found them more often in people with lower bone density and spine fractures. A Japanese study of adults of all ages found no link with osteoporosis. Your doctor decides what your result means for you. (Wang 2023) (Teraguchi 2026)
When should I get help for back pain?
The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E for back pain with pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in both legs, loss of feeling around the genitals or anus, or changes in bladder or bowels. It lists other signs that need a GP or urgent help. (NHS back pain)