With trauma, degeneration begins and the outer layers of the disc may tear (Annular Tear) and may expose the spinal nerve and exiting nerve to the inner nucleus pulposus. It is believed that nucleus pulposus can irritate one or both of the nerves and thus produce a great deal of pain. If the annular tear becomes large enough the disc may extrude or herniate through the tear resulting in a disc herniation. Annular tears can be diagnosed with a history of pain and can be observed on an MRI as a white, high intensity zone on the posterior disc. Discogenic pain is the term used to describe pain resulting from annular tears.

Annular Tear Symptoms

When DDD and annular tears become prevalent the following symptoms are associated with this condition:

• Pain in the area of the tear in the low back. This pain can travel into the buttocks and thighs not usually past the patient’s knees.
• Numbness and or tightness can be related to disc tears or bulging disc and herniated disc. If the disc bulges, extrude or herniates into the spinal canal and compresses the spinal nerves the patient can experience numbness in the arms or legs.
• Weakness is very common associated symptom resulting from a spinal nerve being compressed. The patient experiences weakness in their arm losing their hand grip or legs buckle and they lose control of the leg temporarily.
• Tingling is commonly found in patient’s hands or feet when experiencing degenerative disc disease, annular tears or herniated disc.

Treatment Options

Provided that no disc herniation is observed annular tears can usually be treated successfully with conservative treatments such as:

• Hot or cold compresses
• Exercise and activity modifications
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medicines
• Massage and physical therapy
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
• Epidural steroid injections