Methods, systems, and devices for diagnosing and treating intervertebral disc degeneration

A method of minimizing a symptom and/or treating a pathology of intervertebral disc degeneration, the method comprising:

• introducing a first cannula through a pedicle of a vertebra having a vertebral endplate from a generally posterior to a generally anterior direction, wherein the first cannula comprises a lumen, a distal opening from the lumen, and is rigid and extends substantially along a single longitudinal axis;
• inserting a second cannula through the lumen of the first cannula, the second cannula comprising an inner lumen, a distal end region, and a distal end, wherein the distal end region of the second cannula is configured to assume a curvilinear geometry when positioned distal to the distal opening of the first cannula so as to be directed away from the longitudinal axis of the first cannula and toward the vertebral endplate of the vertebra;
• penetrating the vertebral endplate with a distal end of a tool extending through the inner lumen of the second cannula creating a first defect in the vertebral endplate of the vertebra at a first location to enter an intervertebral disc space;
• and
• repeating the penetrating step to create a plurality of additional defects in the vertebral endplate at additional locations different from the first location.