What does Central annular tear mean?

What does Central annular tear mean?

An annular tear is a tear in the ligament that connects your vertebra to your disc. This ligament surrounds the nucleus of your disc with a strong ring of cartilage fibers called the annulus fibrosus.

Is annular tear serious?

Tears in the outer ring of the disc, the annulus fibrosus, can cause mild to severe pain depending on where the tear is located. Although annular tears can occur throughout the spine they are more common in the neck and low back as these are more mobile than the thoracic spine.

What is the treatment for annular tears?

The symptoms of an annular tear can be treated initially with oral ant-inflammatory medications, medications that are specific for nerve-mediated pain, heat treatments, modified activity, weight reduction, physical therapy and exercise.

How long does it take for an annular disc tear to heal?

Because the annulus fibrosus has such a limited blood supply (a necessary component for the body to repair itself), annular tears can take quite a long time to heal on its own — 18 months to two years.

Does annular tear require surgery?

Your physician may diagnose an annular tear by MRI or discogram. The tear may be visible as a high intensity zone on the MRI and dye may leak through an annular tear on the discogram. The annular tear may heal on its own with conservative treatments. In fact most annular tears will never need surgery.

What aggravates an annular tear?

Positions that add pressure to the disc such as sitting with a slouched posture tend to aggravate the symptoms. Other activities such as coughing, sneezing or lifting cause a transient increase in the pressure inside the disc that may also aggravate the back pain associated with annular tears.

Can you get disability for annular tear?

If your herniated disc causes you continuous, long-lasting pain, then you may be eligible for monthly financial assistance through the Social Security disability benefits program. Herniated discs in the neck and back can qualify for benefits if your symptoms are severe enough.

What does annular tear on MRI mean?

An annular tear occurs when the outer layer of a spinal disc, also known as the annulus fibrosus, suffers damage and tears. This can cause the gelatinous contents inside the disc, aka the nucleus pulposus, to rupture or herniate.

What causes annular tear lumbar?

Most annular tears are caused by natural aging of the disc. The discs are susceptible to wear and tear over time. Traumatic injury also may cause annular tears from sports, strenuous occupations, or accidental. If suffering from annular tear symptoms, several treatment options are available.

How do you sleep with an annular tear?

If you must sleep on your stomach, put a pillow under your hips and knees to maintain the proper curvature of the spine and relieve the pressure on the herniated disc. Better alternatives are sleeping on your side or back.

Is central disc protrusion a disability?

A severe herniated disc can be considered a disability and make you eligible for Social Security disability benefits if it meets the requirements in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book. The Blue Book is the official listing of all of the conditions that qualify a person to receive disability benefits.

What is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease?

VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease The VA rating for degenerative disc disease typically is 20%, despite how much pain the condition may cause.

What is an annular tear at the L4 L5 vertebral level?

An annular tear at the L4–L5 vertebral level is an extremely common form of spinal degeneration. As the spine ages, the pressure of increased body weight and years of repetitive motions begin to wear down the components of the spine, placing pressure on the vertebrae and compressing the discs.

What are the symptoms of an annular disc tear?

Symptoms of Annular Disc Tear Most annular disc tears can cause pain ranging from mild to severe. The degree of pain often is directly related to the location and size of the tear. Symptoms associated with an annular tear typically include pain and muscle spasm in the neck, mid or low back although more common in the lower back.

How are disc bulges at L4 or L5 treated?

How Are Disc Bulges at L4 or L5 With a Small Annular Tear Treated? Conservative treatment that may include a combination of nerve decompression and noninvasive pain management techniques is used to treat small annular tears with disc bulges at L4 or L5, as stated by Laser Spine Institute.

What are the treatment options for an annular tear?

Treatment Options. Or, a minimally invasive procedure called an endoscopic discectomy can be effective if there’s a painful loose disc fragment in an annular tear. In more severe cases, disc replacement or spinal fusion surgery can replace a damaged disc. There are also some highly advanced treatment options that are in development.