What is the treatment for an annular fissure?
Typically, simple symptomatic annular fissures without disc herniation are treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and low-impact physical therapy. Chronic pain due to annular fissures can be due to granulation tissue or in-growth of nerve endings which is usually seen near the dorsal root ganglion.
What does posterior annular fissure mean?
An annular fissure is a type of discogenic condition that affects the spine. It usually occurs when the fibers that make up the tough outer covering of the intervertebral disc either break or separate. Collectively, these fibers are known as the annulus fibrosus.
Does annular fissure require surgery?
Annular tear surgery is usually only recommended after conservative treatment has failed to provide relief. There are a few different ways surgeons attempt to solve annular tears. Using a laser to seal the tear. Spinal fusion, which fuses two or more vertebrae together to stop movement.
Is an annular fissure serious?
The location of the tear and type of damage are the main determiners of the kinds of symptoms you may be experiencing. Annular tears are usually not serious, but they sometimes can be.
What is an annular fissure at L4 L5?
Lumbar Annular Tear
The annular tear is a tearing of the disc external surface that may occur with the aging process or with injury. The L4-5 and L5-S1 discs are the most commonly affected. The annulus may thin or bulge or weaken to the point that disc material may extrude into the spinal canal.
How long does an annular fissure take 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.
Why are annular tears so painful?
Because the outer annular fibrosus ring contains many nerve fibers, tears can be extremely painful. Although an annular tear will normally heal itself over time, it is susceptible to future weakness and tears causing some sufferers to seek the help of doctors or surgeons.
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 is a posterior annular tear at L4 L5?
The annular tear is a tearing of the disc external surface that may occur with the aging process or with injury. The L4-5 and L5-S1 discs are the most commonly affected. The annulus may thin or bulge or weaken to the point that disc material may extrude into the spinal canal.
What causes annular fissures?
An annular fissure is a condition that affects intervertebral discs. Most of the time a fissure is caused by degenerative changes in the spine, including age-related drying out of the discs, but it can also be brought about by trauma.
What is annular tear at L4 L5?
Why do annular tears hurt so much?
When they get trapped in between the fibers of the annulus, they prevent the collagen fibers in the annulus from healing. As a result, there is a permanent weak spot in the fibers of the annulus which is a constant source of pain.
What can make an annular tear worse?
Without proper care and treatment, an annular tear will continue to worsen. When that happens, the following complications can occur. Herniated disc. Continued stress and pressure from daily activities, sports, or heavy lifting can eventually cause a torn disc to herniate.
What causes an annular tear in the lumbar?
Natural degeneration from aging is a common cause of annular tears. As we age, our spinal discs become drier, stiffer, weaker and more prone to tears and injuries. Repetitive lifting or twisting motions, a traumatic injury, and excess body weight can also cause annular tears.