Concerning the Modic change of lumbar spinal endplate, the Modic change types, forming causes, and the relationship between Modic change and degenerative lumbar diseases have been studied from anatomy, pathology, molecular biology and many other aspects at present. The degeneration of lumbar disc is a high risk factor of the Modic change. The degeneration of lumbar disc usually starts from cartilage endplate degeneration. The injury of cartilage endplate could accelerate the degeneration of lumbar disc. This article reviews the significance of Modic change of lumbar spinal endplate in lumbar disc degeneration. The cause of Modic change of the endplate, pathological change, the influence of inflammatory mediators on the endplate and the significance of Modic change in the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases are summarized to analyze the relationship between the degeneration of lumbar disc and Modic change of endplate and to describe the influence of Modic change in the treatment of degenerative lumbar disc diseases.