Researchers analyzed tissue samples from a patient with severe spinal degenerative changes at 3 separate discs.
Discogram revealed that 2 of the discs were producing significant pain while the 3rd disc was painless, despite all 3 showing similar degenerative changes via Imaging.
Compared to the painful discs, the non-painful disc displayed reduced nerve growth and immune system signaling.
Conclusions
Nerve growth and immune system signaling may differentiate why some degenerative discs become pain-producing while others remain asymptomatic.
References
Yeater, T. D., Lee, P., Kawarai, Y., & Stone, L. S. (2024). Differential Deoxyribonucleic Acid Methylation in Painful Versus Non-Painful Degenerating Intervertebral Discs: A Human Case Study. The Journal of Pain, 25(4), 26. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.123