Objective: To investigate the feasibility of ultra-short echo time (UTE) imaging for assessing the cartilage endplate (CEP) damage. Methods: MR imaging of 85 CEPs from 36 patients with low back pain were performed at 3T MR using UTE imaging and routine lumbar MR sequences. UTE image of CEP was dealt with subtracted UTE image by a simple subtraction of UTE image from short to long TEs. Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated for the resultant subtracted UTE images to evaluate the image quality. Based on the subtracted UTE images and Rajasekaran grading, the endplates were classified into six grades according to the morphology of CEP and bony endplate. Two musculoskeletal radiologists assessed the grade of endplate damage based on the subtracted UTE images. Agreement between two radiologists was determined using Cohen"s kappa analysis. The distribution of Modic change in 85 endplates were evaluated. Results: The resultant subtracted UTE image quality was confirmed by high SNR and CNR (mean SNR: 33.06±2.92; mean CNR: 9.4±2.08). Six grades endplates were evaluated by two radiologists in substantial agreement with Cohen"s kappa of 0.922. Modic changes were found in 34 of 85 endplates. High coefficient of 0.737 with Kendall"s TAU-B analysis was obtained in evaluating the relationship between the degree of endplate damage and Modic change. Conclusion: UTE imaging might be considered an effective tool to assess the CEP damage in clinic. The distribution of Modic changes shows that the more serious the damage of endplate, the more prone to Modic changes.