Lumbar Discogram Procedure Specialist Q&A

A lumbar discography procedure is a type of diagnostic imaging technique used to identify the exact location and potentially the cause for disc-related back pain. The procedure uses a contrast agent that is injected into the disc that is the likely culprit of the back pain to simultaneously capture the precise structure of the disc while applying pressure to stimulate the experienced symptoms of pain. The stimulation of the pain is very important as the patient will need to let the specialist providing the test know when the pain that is occurring due to the lumbar discography procedure is most like what they have been experiencing with their regular back pain.

The goals of the lumbar discography procedure include an in-depth evaluation of the exact symptoms that are being experienced by the patient and to determine the degree of damage that has been done to the affected spinal disc to figure out the most effective course of treatment.

A typical lumbar discography procedure will start with the intravenous administration of medication containing antibiotics to reduce the risk of developing an infection of the disc and spinal tissues. A local anesthetic will also likely be used in the area that is going to be receiving the contrasting agent. Once the area of treatment has been properly sterilized, the patient will be positioned so that the contrasting agent can be safely administered with a live-feed for x-ray or CT-scanning diagnostic imagining can be used for the process. The contrasting agent will then be administered, and the provider of the procedure will be assessing the pain levels and structure of the patient throughout the process. The entire procedure will likely only take around one to two hours and is considered an out-patient procedure, so the patient will be able to go home on the same day.

The specialist performing your discogram will ensure that you have all important instructions that are required in preparation for your procedure, most likely including the following:

– Address any questions or concerns regarding the procedure beforehand to ensure that you know what to expect and what is expected of you.
– Do not consume any food or beverages other than small quantities of water after midnight the night before your procedure.
– Bring with you all up-to-date images you have of your spine, such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans.
– Make sure to arrive at the location of the procedure at the recommended time that is well before the schedule time of your procedure to allow for plenty of time to go through any paperwork and to be prepped for the procedure.

Most patients will be able to go home fairly shortly following the procedure after they have been deemed low risk for side-effects or complications. It is common to experience some discomfort from the procedure for around 24 to 48 hours, so it is highly recommended that patients to not plan to do anything strenuous until they are feeling better. Mild tenderness or soreness is common to last for several days but can be easily treated at home with the application of cold compresses for 20 minutes at a time to the treated area.

A lumbar discogram procedure must only be performed by doctors who have received specialized training in using minimally invasive surgical procedures to diagnose spinal pain. The most common types of doctors who perform the procedure include radiologists, specifically diagnostic radiologists, neuroradiologists, vascular radiologists and interventional radiologists, as they are specifically trained to perform and interpret diagnostic imaging tests, as well as anesthesiologists and physiatrists. Many physicians can specialize in pain with a focus on the spine and back, allowing them to receive training to perform these minimally invasive procedures to treat their patients as effectively as possible.

The Lumbar Discogram Procedure determines if back or neck pain is caused by a weakened, damaged, or dislocated disc. If you are looking for a lumbar discogram procedure, visit us at Global Neuro & Spine Institute. Our passionate and caring staff will guide you and provide you with the top services you need. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Orlando FL, Conway FL, Edgewood FL, Jensen Beach FL, Ocean Breeze FL, Rio FL, Malabar Palm Bay FL, Melbourne FL, Atlantis FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, Fort Pierce FL, White City FL, St Lucie FL, Plantation FL, Pine Island Ridge FL, Lauderhill FL, Winter Park FL, Bertha FL, Alafaya FL and surrounding areas. We also encourage our patients to visit us online to learn more about our locations and directions to our clinics.