Annular tear treatment is almost always first attempted conservatively, with a variety of nonsurgical techniques utilized to alleviate the patient’s pain and heal the damaged intervertebral disc. Once a doctor has diagnosed an annular tear and identified the location of the damaged disc – usually with assistance from an MRI – the doctor will work with the patient to develop an appropriate treatment plan to repair it. People of all age groups are susceptible to disc herniation, with some of the most common causes ranging from the aftermath of a traumatic or sports-related injury to regular wear and tear and normal spine deterioration. As such, treatment options must be tailored to the person’s age, overall health and level of regular physical activity.
Treatment options
Assuming that the patient isn’t experiencing debilitating or rapidly worsening symptoms, annular tear treatment usually begins with low-impact exercises, hot or cold compresses, over-the-counter or prescription pain medication, limited rest, and other alternative treatments. Other examples of annular tear treatment include:
- Epidural injections
- Pain patches
- Deep tissue massage
- Spine alignment correction
- Hydrotherapy
- Ultrasound treatment
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment
Surgical treatment
In most cases, the patient finds sufficient pain relief from a combination of treatments over several weeks. However, if pain persists, a spine specialist may recommend more advanced treatments, including spine surgery, to alleviate the lingering discomfort.
If conservative therapy fails, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn about our innovative, minimally invasive endoscopic surgical procedures as an alternative to open spine surgery. Rather than undergo a highly invasive procedure requiring months of rehabilitation, consider the benefits of our safe and effective outpatient procedures. Recover spinal health without open spine surgery. Call today for more information on annular tear treatment and to schedule a consultation and a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan.
