Our Treatments

What is a Discogram?

A non-invasive diagnostic procedure for the purpose of identifying the cause of spine pain. Discography (also called a discogram) is a diagnostic procedure used to determine if one or more discs are the cause of cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine pain. The procedure involves pressurizing discs by injecting them with a sterile liquid to induce pain in the affected discs.

How does this procedure work?

The person is awake during the procedure, so risks associated with general anesthesia are avoided. An intravenous line may be inserted so that mild sedatives can be administered. Local anesthetic is used to numb the skin and surrounding soft tissue. Once adequate local anesthesia is obtained the discogram process begins.

Intervertebral discs are sponge-like cushions between the boney parts of the spine. Sterile dye is injected into the soft center of one or more disks and moves into any cracks in the disk’s exterior, which can then be seen on an X-ray or CT scan. If the dye stays in the center of the disk, the disk is normal.  The injection sometimes reproduces your back pain and is more likely to do so in the abnormal disc.

What are the benefits of this treatment?

1. Minimally Invasive: There is no open incision
2. No Recovery Time
3. Improve Surgical Outcomes
4. Provide Spine Surgeons with a more concise plan along with other diagnostics in preparation for spinal fusion surgery

How many treatments will i need?

One diagnostic procedure is usually required and ordered by the Spine Surgeon in preparation for spinal fusion surgery; especially, if back pain persists despite conservative treatments, such as medication and physical therapy. The procedure is performed to help identify which disks need to be removed. The surgeon will use the results along with other tests, such as MRI and CT scanning, to diagnose disk problems and guide treatment.

What is the recovery time of this procedure?

The procedure is performed in an ambulatory surgery setting and does not require general anesthesia, allowing a quick recovery. Overall, there is no down time following the procedure. Any regards for recovery may require 24 hours if minimal sedation is used.

The most common side effect is pain at the injection site, which is temporary. Sometimes, the discogram needle brushes past a nerve root and the nerve root is irritated. This pain usually gets better quickly. If such effect should occur pain medication is provided to allow full recovery with minimal pain.