Central Annular Tear L4-L5: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A central annular tear at L4-L5 involves a rupture in the central annulus fibrosus of the disc between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae. The nucleus pulposus may herniate through this tear, irritating nerve roots.

Causes

• Repetitive mechanical stress/strain
• Trauma (fall, accident)
• Age-related disc degeneration

Symptoms

• Low back pain
• Sciatica (radiating buttock/leg pain)
• Numbness, tingling, weakness in legs
• Movement difficulty

Diagnosis & Treatment

• History, physical, MRI.
• Conservative: NSAIDs, physical therapy, activity modification, epidural injections.
• Surgery for severe/refractory cases to repair annulus and decompress nerves.

Untreated tears may lead to chronic pain or spinal stenosis.