An episode about annular tear surgery and treatment options as well as a comprehensive guide on annular tears themselves.
The episode begins by explaining that an annular tear is a condition where the ligament featuring a strong ring of cartilaginous fibers that connects your vertebrae to your discs is torn. The outer annulus fibrosus ring is chock-full of nerves, which means a tear is going to result in substantial pain if these nerves are damaged.
Annular tears typically develop over time in the lumbar spine or lower back, which means the main cause is simply getting older. As we age, our bodies become weaker, and the disc in our back takes a lot of punishment during that time. If you live an active lifestyle or take part in regular heavy weightlifting, especially lifts involving twisting motions, your chance of damaging the annular fibers increases. Other common causes of annular tears include car crashes and other physically taxing accidents, excessive body weight, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and bone spurs.
There are three types of annular tears: transverse, radial, and concentric. Transverse tears extend from the outer rim of the disc to the nucleus, which means individuals with this type of tear almost always experience significant lower back pain. Radial tears occur along the innermost portion of the annulus, while concentric tears form in the ring around the nucleus of the disc. They are oftentimes the product of torsional injuries caused by excessive twisting.
The pain that accompanies an annular tear can vary, but it typically falls into one of several categories. Lower back pain that starts bad and gets worse during exercise, stretching, etc. The back goes out suddenly after months without issue, leaving one sidelined for days or weeks. Sitting upright for extended periods of time causes agonizing pain. Groin or testicular pain. Pain that persists after taking pain pills. Sporadic pain, numbness, or burning in the feet, legs, or buttocks. An individual could experience no pain at all if the annular tear is minor.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUOY6ZrUq0c
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