A discography is used to identify the cause of back pain by injecting contrast material into the center of one or more of the spinal discs under imaging guidance. Additionally, it is used to determine the precise treatment for intervertebral disc abnormalities – sponge-like cushions between the body’s vertebral bodies.
Any changes to your medication schedule and preparation instructions will be given to you by your physician. Talk to your doctor if you think you may be pregnant and if you are taking any medications or herbal supplements, as well as any medical conditions you have been experiencing recently. Some medical professionals may advise you to stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications or blood thinners several days ahead of the procedure. Additionally, you might be instructed to abstain from eating or drinking after midnight before your procedure. You should wear loose fitting clothing and leave jewelry at home. If a gown is required, you should bring it. If someone is driving you home, let them know in advance.
An initial discogram is not typically conducted for back pain because it is an invasive test. When conservative measures, such as medication and physical therapy, are ineffective, your doctor may suggest a discogram.
Doctors use discograms to determine which disks should be removed prior to spinal fusion surgery. Although discograms are often accurate in identifying the disk or disks causing back pain, they are not always 100% accurate. In some cases, doctors use other tests to diagnose and treat disc problems, such as MRI and CT scans.
In general, discograms are considered safe. However, there are some risks involved:
If you plan to undergo the procedure, you will need to refrain from taking blood-thinning medications. A physician can recommend which medications are safe. Before the procedure, it is not recommended that you eat or drink anything.
A sedative through a vein may help you relax during the procedure, even though you’re awake. If necessary, an antibiotic may also be administered to keep you from becoming infected.
An abdominal or side table is laid out for you. In order to decrease discomfort caused by the needle insertion, your doctor may inject you with numbing medicine after cleansing your skin.
To monitor the discogram needle’s entry into your body, a diagnostic imaging technique (fluoroscopy) is used. An examination of the disk can be performed more precisely and safely using fluoroscopy. Following the injection of the contrast dye, an X-ray or CT scan is performed to determine whether the dye spreads.
Normal disks remain dye-free if the dye stays in the middle. In this case, wear-and-tear damage occurred to the disk. Your pain might be associated with these changes.
In most cases, if you suffer from back pain due to a disk, you will feel similar pain during the injection as you do on a daily basis. In an unaltered disk, the injection is not painful. A discogram includes an opportunity for you to describe and rate your pain.
Observation will take about 30 minutes to 60 minutes in the procedure room. Afterward, you can drive yourself home, but someone has to drive you.
It’s natural to experience some pain after the procedure at the injection site or in the low back for a few hours. An ice pack applied continuously for 20 minutes may help. Your back should be kept dry for 24 hours afterward.
You should contact your physician as soon as possible if you develop severe back pain or a fever within one to two weeks of the procedure.
Potential Complications: (rare)
If your doctor determines the cause of your back pain based on the photos and information you provided about your pain during the procedure, he will do so after reviewing the images and information you provided. As your doctor prepares you for surgery or for treatment, he or she will use this information.
The results of a discogram alone are rarely sufficient to diagnose a problem as a worn-out disk may not cause pain. Additionally, discograms can present a wide range of pain responses.
If you are interested in above treatment, WeCare Medical Specialty Group can help you. We have five offices across Northern Jersey. Please call our office at (973)996-2990 or book an appointment online immediately.