Case study 120 - Annular Tear An annular tear is a tear in the ligament that connects your vertebra to your disc. This ligament surrounds the nucleus of your disc with a strong ring of cartilage fibers called the annulus fibrosus. The nucleus of your disc is a soft, jelly like substance that acts as a shock absorber for your body. Treatment is usually conservative as most of these issues do not require surgery. Physical therapy is the main state of treatment as well as time for the injury to hea