Long-term functional changes will cause changes in bony structure. Why This Condition May Not Cause Pain for Years Despite all the changes and abnormal stress, this condition may persist causing ongoing deterioration for years without causing pain. Pain will not occur until something such as a strain or a chill finally aggravates them. When a disc develops tears, it is not until the tear reaches the innervated outer layers that pain signals are generated. Just as mild sunburn is not painful unless slapped, mildly irritated and damaged facet joints may not be painful until aggravated.
Spinal degeneration has to be substantial before there is bony occlusion of the nerve root pathways.
A spine may stiffen significantly before there is not enough pain-free movement to do essential tasks. Compensating parts may cope with the extra demands for a long time before deteriorating or being unable to cope. Significant wasting occurs to an arm or leg placed in a cast for six weeks. Frozen shoulders may result from a relatively short period of immobilization. These examples demonstrate how significant and rapid structural changes may occur due to abnormal function and help explain the possible extent of changes to the spine as a result of years of dysfunction.