Adaptation to Neural Damage due to Disc Pathology throughout the History of Medicine

Abstract

Evidence from medical literature implies that back radiculopathy pain is primarily caused by inflammation and disc herniation. Based on our examined sources, this theory was initially put forward in 1934 by two American surgeons, William J. Mixter and Joseph S. Barr. The theory proposes that the intervertebral disc changes shape for various reasons, leading to the compression of nerve fibers in the epidural canal. This compression can result in inflammation, pain, and restrictions in movement. Today, this theory is perceived to be increasingly inconsistent with clinical experiences. Hubert L. Rosomoff was the first to publish the article "Do Herniated Disks Produce Pain?" in 1984. In The Clinical Journal of Pain, he rejected Mixter and Joseph S. Barr's theory, but did not introduce a mechanism for how patients with discopathy do not experience pain.  Recent studies indicate that the human body can adapt to various types of deformities and alleviate the symptoms of a wide range of complications without any measurable change in the pressure or shape of the disc. This study proposes a hypothesis to understand the body's ability to achieve balance and adapt to a deformed disc and radiculopathic pain.