Spatial patterns of fat within the deep multifidus as a biomarker for chronic low back pain

FI in deep regions of the MF at L4L5 and L5S1 is more strongly associated with pain and adjacent disc degeneration and less associated with age, sex, and BMI than overall FI%. We identify regional differences in MF FI related to pain which improves our understanding of cLBP-related MF degeneration and provides additional context for possible causal mechanisms of FI. Further, the "deep15" FI% is a novel MF FI measure, and possible biomarker, more strongly associated with cLBP than summary measures.