A discography is an interventional procedure that is used to help identify specific conditions and injuries in the spinal discs. This procedure can be useful for identifying a specific disc that needs to be addressed by the surgeon. Read on to learn more about the procedure itself and when it can be helpful.
Discography Procedure
A discography, also referred to as a discogram, is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure – meaning it’s used to help your physician better diagnose your condition or injury. The goal of a discogram is to determine whether or not a particular spinal disc is causing a patient’s pain. The procedure itself involves injecting a contrast dye into the patient’s spinal disc. Once the dye has been injected, an imaging exam (X-ray, CT scan, MRI) is usually ordered to help the physician see the injected disc(s). Discograms are done on an outpatient basis and require local anesthesia.
When a Discography is Helpful
There are numerous instances in which your physician may order a discography. Typically they are only considered after a patient has tried conservative treatments for their back pain (such as physical therapy, steroid injections, and stem cell therapies). If you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate several conditions, a discography can be used to narrow the diagnosis. Discograms are often used before a lumbar fusion surgery to help the surgeon get a better picture of the area on which they will be operating.
Edina Pain Clinic
A discography can provide invaluable information about the root cause of your back pain. Contact Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota today to set up your discography appointment. Fill out our contact form or give us a call today at (612) 20-SPINE.
