“What does a discogram involve?”
My husband has been struggling with back pain for years after a workplace injury and his doctor is recommending a discogram. What does this test involve?
5 Answers
If your doctor who is doing the procedure hasn't explained it well enough for you to understand, then you probably shouldn't have it done by that doctor.
Basically, the test involves putting a very skinny needle into the middle of a disc in the back. (imagine the disc like a jelly donut, and the needle goes there).
Needles are put in a few discs (because it is important to see if any discs are normal as well).
Fluid, usually a dye or contrast, is put into the disc -- and the pressure in a normal disc feels like pressure. But, in some damaged discs, if they are a possible cause of back pain, will no only show that the contrast leaks out, but also it can recreate the severe pain you normally have.
Those two things are what we are looking for.
Basically, the test involves putting a very skinny needle into the middle of a disc in the back. (imagine the disc like a jelly donut, and the needle goes there).
Needles are put in a few discs (because it is important to see if any discs are normal as well).
Fluid, usually a dye or contrast, is put into the disc -- and the pressure in a normal disc feels like pressure. But, in some damaged discs, if they are a possible cause of back pain, will no only show that the contrast leaks out, but also it can recreate the severe pain you normally have.
Those two things are what we are looking for.
An attempt to visualize the Disc with the use of injected dye and determine if it is the source of the pain.
Injection of dye to allow improved visualization of a potentially herniated or bulging disc, which is like the cushion between two adjacent vertebrae in the spine
A discogram involves a procedure done with full sterile technique and local anesthetic. Sterile dye or X-ray contrast is injected into a disc that is suspected of causing pain. Usually, at least one disc thought to be less involved is also injected. The patients response to the pressure on the disc and the X-ray and sometimes CT images are then saved and correlated with the symptoms produced by pressurizing the disc. To understand the exact procedure as there are variations in how it is done and differences in the disc levels evaluated, you really need to speak to the surgeon or his nurse. Usually, antibiotics are also given. In most situations it is an out patient procedure. It should not be done unless surgical treatment is planned as the test is designed to determine surgical treatment levels. I hope this was helpful.
Kevin Jon Lawson, MD
Kevin Jon Lawson, MD
The doctor will insert a needle into the disc and inject in some dye. If this reproduces your pain, it MAY be the source of the pain.
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
