subject: What is Annular Tears? [print this page] What is Annular Tears? What is Annular Tears?
Annular tear is a small tear or damage to the outer layer of the spinal disc which is otherwise known as Annulus Fibrosus. Annular tears can often lead to a herniated disc which may impinge the nerve roots and cause pain in other parts of the body and prompt other serious back conditions.
Laser spine surgery is the best treatment option for annular tears. This surgical procedure is minimally invasive and can be performed under local anesthesia. There is very little blood loss during the procedure and a very short recovery period as compared to traditional open spine surgery.
Some Information about Annular Tears of the Spinal Cord
Annulus Fibrosus is a strong ligamentous material that holds the highly pressurized intervertebral disc nucleus in place. The outside one third of the annulus is filled with pain carrying nerve fibers. As long as the annulus is strong, the nuclear material does not escape from the center. But if the annulus weakens and tears, the highly pressurized nuclear material escapes the confines and comes into contact with the pain nerve carrying fibers causing intense pain. If the tear grows large enough so that the nucleus breaks through the periphery of the disc, it could result in herniation of the lumbar or cervical discs.
Annular tears are usually caused by degeneration of annulus due to old age or trauma. Some people are also genetically inclined to develop annular tears. Even everyday activities such as working and playing may cause annular tears in these individuals.
There are three main types of annular tears horizontal tear, concentric tear and radial tear. Any of these tears is bad news. When annular tears form, the body attempts to fix the tears with scar tissue. This may take anywhere up to 18 months. Though the body attempts to self-heal, sometimes this may result in the growth of new pain carrying nerve fibers which grow into the tear, in some cases even all the way into the nucleus. This compounds the problem because now the newly healed disc has more pain-carrying nerve fiber than a normal disc. This makes the entire disc feel and may cause fresh bursts of pain.
Usually, annular tearing is caused degeneration and trauma. Genetics may also play a part in the development of this condition. Some people have genes that produce weak annulus fibrosus. This may not be strong enough to handle the pressures of everyday activities such as work, play, or even small injuries. It may tear very easily causing pain.
Annular tears can be effectively treated by the minimally invasive laser spine surgery.
