Disc Tear

Disc Tear

generally refers to the tearing of a disc's outer tissue (annular tissue), brought on by disc degeneration, wear and tear or a specific trauma. The central disc tissue (nuclear tissue) often moves into the torn area, forming a disc herniation or interpositional disc herniation. Age, repetitive strain and genetics can all contribute to the weakening or tearing of an invertebral disc.

Symptoms of a Torn Disc

Localized upper or lower back pain occurs in the area of the torn disc as the disc nucleus pushes into the damaged disc annulus and comes in contact with the sinu-vertebral nerves. As the nucleus pushes through the disc tear and places pressure on other nerves and surrounding tissue, symptoms such as pinched nerve pain, sciatica back pain, or spinal stenosis may occur.

Disc Tear Treatment Options Conservative Treatment

Spine Centers of America recommends alternatives to healing torn discs, including the use of anti-inflammatory medicines and therapeutic exercises to strengthen surrounding musc Endoscopic discectomy may also be recommended. It is low risk and has a low incidence of complications. However, because it involves surgery on the spine, it is strongly recommended that a board certified laser spine surgeon perform the surgery.

Spine Centers of America surgeons are your safest, most highly trained experts for performing endoscopic discectomy, a minimally invasive spine surgery performed under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia, using only a very small incision.

While avoiding the disadvantages of traditional invasive surgery methods, such as Lumbar Fusion, often suggested for this condition, most patients report immediate back pain relief before they walk out the door, and enjoy the benefit of a very limited recovery time.