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An Annular Tear May Require Surgery

If you have developed an annular tear, surgery may become an option in the future. However, it is important to begin treating your symptoms with conservative, non-operative treatments, as 90 percent of all annular tears will heal themselves over a period of months or weeks.

An annular tear, also called a herniated disc or ruptured disc, occurs when the outer wall of an intervertebral disc becomes so weak, thin, and dry that it develops a tear. The inner disc fluid, called nucleus pulposus, can leak into the spinal canal and press on nearby spinal nerves or the spinal cord. Your body recognizes that the extrusion of this nuclear fluid is abnormal and it releases chemicals that break down the fluid and resorb it, thus allowing the disc fissure to close. If your annular tear undergoes disc resorption, surgery will not be necessary.

Are Annular Tears Always Painful?

Some annular tears are completely asymptomatic. If the fissure is thin enough that no fluid escapes, there is virtually no risk of painful neural compression. In addition, the disc wall itself does not contain any nerve endings and does not have its own blood supply. Therefore, the only instance in which a tear, with no fluid extrusion, could be painful is if the tear occurs very near the vertebral endplates, which do contain nerves.

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Minimally Invasive Procedures

If conservative treatments like pain medication, rest, hot-cold therapy, or massage do not help your annular tear, surgery may become an option. Keep in mind that there are minimally invasive alternatives to open spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute offers a variety of outpatient, endoscopic procedures that may be able to help you rediscover your life without back and neck pain. For more information on annular tears and to find out if you could be a candidate for one of our revolutionary procedures, contact Laser Spine Institute today.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.