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An Annular Tear & Types of Treatment

If you've been diagnosed with an annular tear, the types of treatment you might rely on for relief from your symptoms will likely include any of a variety of conservative, nonsurgical options. For many individuals, conservative treatments work very well in managing the symptoms of nerve compression caused by an annular tear. But before you begin looking into treatment options, it pays to learn more about the specific causes and symptoms of this condition.

Causes of Annular Tears

An annular tear is a fissure that develops in the outer wall of an intervertebral disc. This can occur as the disc loses water content and thins, becomes brittle, or deforms over time as part of the natural aging process. Also known as degenerative disc disease, this gradual degeneration of the disc is asymptomatic on its own. In fact, you might have multiple small annular tears – also known as herniated discs – at this very moment that aren't causing you any problems. However, symptoms can spring up when the gel-like inner material of the disc extrudes through the annular tear and places pressure on a spinal nerve. This nerve compression is what causes the symptoms you might be experiencing.

Symptoms

Nerve compression caused by an annular tear can result in multiple types of symptoms, but they often include:

• Chronic pain
• Pain that travels the length of the nerve
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness

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Treatment

Now that you know more about your annular tear, types of treatment can be more fully investigated. Many annular tears eventually heal on their own, but your doctor will likely suggest conservative treatments to either assist in the healing process, or to help manage your symptoms. However, some people simply can't find relief from their symptoms through conservative treatments and instead turn to surgery. If this describes your situation, contact Laser Spine Institute today to learn more about our revolutionary endoscopic procedures that can help you rediscover your life without back and neck pain.

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