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What is an Annular Tear Disc Injury?

Back and neck injuries are common to Philadelphia area auto accident victims. A better understanding of the cause of pain can help you decide, along with your doctor, the best treatment for you. In this personal injury article, Bucks County personal injury lawyer, Michael L. Saile, Jr., explains an annular tear disc injury.

Between the vertebrae are shock absorbing discs that protect the spinal cord and nerves. If you were to take out a disc and look inside, you would see 4 key features: a vertebral end plate above and below it, a centrally located oval-shaped pressurized part known as the nucleus pulposis, and thin fibrous tissue known as annulus fibrosus surrounding the nucleus pulposis and nerves around the outermost 1/3 edge running through it.

In an auto accident, sudden violent impact can shift the discs, causing the nucleus pulposis to be pushed outward toward the nerves as it rips or tears through the annulus fibrosis. This is called an annular tear. If the tear is severe, it can allow the center nucleus to irritate the surrounding nerve fibers causing pain. This is known as internal disc disruption.

Even if you never heard of a nucleus pulposis before now, you probably already know the term "herniated disc," from a time when a friend or loved one sustained a back injury. A herniated disc injury is simply a step beyond an disc bulge where the nucleus pulposis breaks through to the outside of the disc pinching or pushing the nerve fibers aside.

Depending on the location of the annular tear, you may experience pain in the back, neck or legs. Conservative treatments such as physical therapy, pain medication and epidural steroid injections are usually tried first. Surgery is normally held as a last resort for two reasons: first, surgery has risks and second, not all surgical treatment is successful.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an annular tear injury from a Bucks County or Philadelphia area car accident, we believe you need experienced representation to handle your personal injury claim. The Bucks County personal lawyers at Saile & Saile LLP understand PA and NJ personal injury law and can guide you through the process. For more information, get our FREE PA Car Accident Guide.