All About Discography
If you suffer from back pain, your doctor may recommend lumbar discography. A pain specialist can perform a discography to evaluate the back pain and plan for surgery. This procedure is sometimes referred to as a discogram. In most cases, the results of the test are hard to find any other way.
Why Is a Discography Performed?
Typically, a discography is performed before lumbar fusion surgery. In order for the test to be successful, an experienced discographer is needed. This individual can evaluate the test to help the spine surgeon perform a better surgery. In circumstances where a skilled discographer is unavailable, this test can be very subjective. In these scenarios, the surgeon may decide against the test.
Patients who can benefit from a discography have substantial pain in their lower back, hip, legs, and groin. Usually, these people have already tried pain remedies that are more conservative. When these efforts fail to alleviate the pain, a lumbar discography can be helpful.
What is Analyzed During the Procedure?
This procedure is not used to determine the anatomy of the discs in the spine. Instead, it is helpful to evaluate the physiology of this area of the body. Therefore, the test does not show what the spine looks like. Instead, it can help doctors determine if the area of the body is creating pain. In some instances, discs that look abnormal are not the cause of pain so this test can provide helpful information for doctors who are seeking the right pain remedy.
How is it Performed?
During a discography, an intravenous line is placed in the body in case medicine is needed. Most patients are awake during the test. The doctors use a specialized table with an x-ray machine. Then, they mark the back to indicate the areas that need testing. After preparations are made, the back is sedated and needles are placed along the marks to determine where the pressure or pain is coming from.
To learn more about this procedure and if it is right for you, contact a pain specialist.
By Dr. James Lin
If you are reading this on any other blog than Comprehensive Pain Management Center or via my RSS Feed, it is stolen content without credit.
You can find me on Twitter via @DrJamesTLin
Come and visit our blog at http://www.compainmc.com/blog/
