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I saw a science program on back pain caused by disc herniation. Most of the studies were done on rats and dogs. How can this help us understand human injuries?

Animal models present a unique research opportunity humans can’t provide. Researchers are able to remove the damaged tissue and look at it under a microscope. They can see and measure swelling, changes in blood flow, and even the speed of messages sent by nerves.

These measures can be made at the time of the injury and then again after treatment. This model makes it possible to compare the results of one treatment against another. Scientists may find faster ways to help tissues recover from injury using animals.

Reference: 

Naoto Takahashi, MD, et al. Pathomechanisms of Nerve Root Injury Caused by Disc Herniation. In Spine. March 1, 2003. Vol. 28. No. 5. Pp. 435-441.

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