Thanks for contacting HCM You are concerned about a new finding on your MRI of the lumbar area which shows an annular bulge with central tear. This annular bulge does protrude enough to cause mild impression on the thecal sac. These findings are found typically in people that have back pain. These findings do not require or should you even contemplate surgery as they are not significant enough to warrant surgery. You do have pain from the tear but surgery will not repair this. I Recommend fro my patients who have these findings to preform regular aerobic exercise, and massage and physical therapy. I would also add muscle relaxants, Non-steroid anti inflammatory like Naprosyn and in extreme cases of pain a short course of hydrocodone. Hope I answered your question. Please feel free to contact us again for you medical concerns and questions