Discography

WHAT IS IT?

A discography is used to diagnose disc pain. Discs fit between the bones of the spine and cushion them during movements such as bending, twisting, turning, sitting and standing. Discs are made up of two parts: an outer ring made of a cartilage-type material and a central jello-like substance.

Disc pain usually comes from one of two sources. Sometimes, the outer ring of the disc weakens and bulges out under weight, pushing on the nerves. This bulging, called a disc herniation, causes irritation and pain in the back that can radiate down the leg or in the neck. Another type of pain is caused by a tear in the disc. The outer right of the disc can tear under pressure and create a very localized, dull aching pain when the patient sits or stands. This is called discogenic pain.

 

Inject dye and the dye lets us know what the disc looks like from the inside., any cracks pressure gauge on the syringe

 

During the discography, the doctor places a needle in the middle of the disc and slowly pumps fluid into the disc, creating pressure. If there is a tear in the disc, it will reproduce the pain caused by sitting or standing for long periods of time. One way to think about the procedure is to imagine filling an inner tube with a pump to see if it leaks or has any abnormalities. There is also dye in the fluid, which lets the physician know what the disc looks like from the inside and see any cracks or other problems. The patient is given some pain and relaxation medication during the procedure, but cannot be too heavily sedated because the sensations they are feeling are needed for making the diagnosis. After the procedure the physician will share the findings and discuss treatment options. The patient may experience pain for a day or two after the procedure.

WHO IS IT FOR?

This procedure is for patients struggling with on-going back or neck pain. It is not certain as to exactly where the pain is coming from, and the patient must be certain that if diagnosis is made, he or she would be willing to consult a spine surgeon.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Risks of the procedure include nerve damage, bleeding and infection. Infection is the most common complication, but the patient is given antibiotic fluid in an IV prior to the procedure and antibiotics are mixed into the solution injected into the disc to prevent infection from happening.