Annular Tear Treatment Dallas Fort Worth DFW TX

Spine Surgery / Conditions We Treat / Spinal Conditions / Annular Tears

Treatment for Annular Disc Tears in Dallas/Ft. Worth

At DFW Laser Spine Institute, we specialize in treating acute back pain, including the pain caused by an annular disc tear. Our experienced team of experts can properly diagnose an annular tear and recommend minimally-invasive treatments to help patients achieve lasting relief.

What is an Annular Tear?

The spine is made up of a series of small bones, called vertebrae. In between these vertebrae sit intervertebral discs, and the nucleus of each disc is surrounded by a strong, flexible outer ring called the annulus fibrosus. Ruptures or damage to the disc itself are called herniated discs. When the annulus is damaged but the disc is not, it is referred to as an annular disc tear.

The annulus are connected to a series of nerve endings, so annular tears can be very painful.¹

Types of Annular Tears

There are three different types of annular tears, differentiated by the pattern in which the annulus tears.

Radial Tear: This occurs when the tear begins at the innermost part of the annulus, and may travel all the way to the outer rim of the annulus. Because most nerves are at the outer rim of the annulus, people with radial tears restricted to the central portion of the annulus may not experience symptoms.

Transverse Tear: A transverse tear begins at the outer rim of the annulus and may extend all the way to the nucleus. Since the outer rim of the annulus is highly innervated with pain receptors, this tends to be a painful injury.

Concentric Tear: A concentric annular tear develops in the shape of a ring that circles the disc nucleus. These injuries usually occur as a result of twisting the spine.

Causes of Annular Tears

There are a number of potential causes of an annular tear:

Degenerative Disc Disease: Over time, the discs of the spine become dryer and less flexible, causing them to gradually degenerate as we age. This can make the annulus more prone to tearing.

Bone Spurs: A bone spur is a bony protrusion that forms at the end of a bone as a reaction to inflammation. If a bone spur extends into the disc space, it may cause an annular tear.

Injuries: Traumatic injuries like falls, car accidents, and sports injuries may lead to annular tears or disc damage.

Other possible causes of an annular tear include excess body weight, sitting for an extended period of time, and repetitive motions.

Annular Tear Symptoms

Many symptoms of an annular tear are similar to the symptoms experienced in people with a herniated or bulging disc, though symptoms are usually only noticeable when the outer portion of the annulus is damaged. Annular tear symptoms may include:

Localized pain

Spasms or pain that radiates to the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Muscle weakness

Tingling or numbness in the limbs

Pain that is worse when bending, lifting, twisting, or sitting

Diagnosis of an Annular Tear

When patients come to DFW Laser Spine Institute with symptoms of an annular tear, our experts will perform X-ray imaging as well as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT scan so that the soft tissues of the spine can be evaluated. A physical examination with palpation of the spinal area can also help pinpoint the source of a patient’s pain.

Treatment of Annular Tears

In many cases, annular tears heal themselves. However, since this is often a painful injury, our doctors recommend a series of non-surgical pain management treatments to speed the healing process. This may include:

Pain medication

Massage

Physical therapy

TENS therapy

Pain management injections

When a patient does not achieve significant symptom relief after months of conservative treatment for an annular tear, our surgeons may recommend cervical disc replacement surgery.