Can an annular tear be caused by injury or can it just getting old situation?

An annular tear can be caused by both injury and aging.

Injury: An annular tear can occur due to a sudden, forceful movement or trauma to the spine, such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury. This type of injury can cause the annulus fibrosus to tear or rupture, leading to the leakage of the nucleus pulposus and the formation of a herniated disc.

Aging: Annular tears can also develop as a result of degenerative changes associated with aging. Over time, the annulus fibrosus can weaken and become less flexible, making it more susceptible to tears and ruptures. This is why annular tears are more common in older adults.

In some cases, an annular tear may be caused by a combination of injury and aging. For example, an individual who has a preexisting annular tear due to aging may be more likely to experience a tear due to an injury.