Dr. Tony Mork, MD, endoscopic spine surgeon and founder of the Endoscopic Spine Academy unpacks the science behind annular tears. He explains why most tears don’t hurt, why MRI scans aren’t enough to diagnose chronic low back pain and how discograms can still play a role. Dr. Mork argues that fragments of dead disc tissue often cause pain when they migrate to the annulus and outlines how he uses endoscopic techniques to remove them. He also discusses why high‑energy lasers may create more debris and explores emerging sealing approaches that aim to restore disc integrity. Whether you’re a patient or a practitioner, this episode offers practical insights on diagnosing and treating annular tears and highlights alternatives to spinal fusion.

View podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-q_Qz6h1EFGRCHywnLLPPntaBMHGyJDg&si=4QhzdAmsbyZszUkP

I'm Dr. Tony Mork and I run an Endoscopic Spine Surgery practice in Irvine, California and Naples, FL. I avoid a fusion when possible (which is most situations) and provide treatments that actually address the pain without taking an invasive approach.

Some of the conditions I treat:

• Disc Herniation
• Bulging Discs
• Spinal Stenosis
• Annular Tears
• Sciatica
• Facet Syndrome
• Foraminal Stenosis
• And more

Dr. Tony Mork, MD
2102 Business Center Dr #127, Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 640-6675
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Spine Surgeon Irvine, CA
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