Questions about tears in your bulging cervical discs??? Help I am scared!!! - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

skych · 05-10-2008, 07:30 PM

Hi everyone,

In my recent diskogram it said that I had some tears in the annuls of my discs. I have 3 bulging discs at C 3-4 4-5 and 5-6. The are moderate to severe with no cord contact.

Does anyone know what this means?? DOes it mean that the fluid is leaking out? If it does what will happen becouse of it.
Or does it mean that the tears are at the area where the bulging is and any kind of trauma could case it to rupture?

At this time I am scared and I will not see my neuro untill May 23.
I am very concerned and of course I am in pain all the time. Since I had the diskogram I have been having bad spasms and increased pain, but at least the headaches are lessening in there intensity I think.

Please respond if you have any insight...

Chrissy

PNo · 05-11-2008, 01:03 AM

Hi Chrissy - the annular tears can cause quite a bit of pain. That part of the disc has nerve fibers that can carry pain signals. Tears and fissures can "heal" themselves, or not, but they can still remember the pain signals. It can take up to 2 years for tears that are going to heal to resolve. If it doesn't resolve it will just keep generating pain unless fixed. A very bad trauma is unlikely in this type diagnosis - it would be more along the lines of more pain. If you want to read more look up discogenic pain.

skych · 05-11-2008, 07:27 AM

Thanks ***********,

I will look that up this morning when I am done here on the boards.
So what will they do just have me continue to take it easy to wait to see if the pain resolves itself???
Oh-boy!

Well I appreciate you comments.

I hope that others will share their experience as well.
Chrissy

ExARMYPILOT · 05-11-2008, 07:39 AM

I had/have them - but were fixed in my last neck surgery. I think (basically in layman's terms) the surgeon took a tool and ground the tears down so they are smooth.

Of course if you read my other thread in this section - he may not have fixed them!