Lumbar Discography
Lumbar discography is indicated as a diagnostic maneuver in a selected set of patients suffering from back and lumbar radicular pain. Patients who may benefit from discography include
- Patients with persistent back and /or lumbar radicular pain in whom traditional diagnostic modalities (i.e. MRI, CT) have failed to delineate the cause of pain.
- Patients that are confirmed to have only a bulging disc and it needs to be determine whether such abnormalities are responsible for the pain.
- Pre-surgical screening where a fusion may be performed but more information is needed.
You are to eat nothing by mouth 8 hrs prior to the procedure. Medications may be taken with a sip of water up to three hours before your procedure. You will need an escort to drive you home.
You will be positioned on your stomach. An anesthesiologist will provide conscious sedation. You will be able to answer questions at the suitable juncture. A needle will be placed into the discs. You will indicate varying degrees of discomfort associated with injections into the discs.
The disk in question will be assessed as well as a control disc. This will allow the physician to correlate specific information to determine a diagnosis.
You will receive an IV (intravenous) antibiotic, and antibiotics will be given directly into the disc. This will assist in prevention of infection. A local anesthetic and x-ray contrast will also be utilized.
To increase the success rate and to limit complications, we use the fluoroscopy (special types of x-rays) for guidance.
Increased pain is a likely side effect of this procedure. Complications related to needle placement would be discussed by your physician prior to informed consent.
Recovery time varies and a few days of light activity is suggested. You may be required to take additional days off from work following the procedure.
