Discography

Discograms are diagnostic injections which are done to help delineate the internal structure of the intervertebral discs, and to help determine which, if any, of the discs are responsible for your pain. Discograms will often be used to help plan future therapeutic interventions. Discograms are done either in the neck (cervical) or the low back (lumbar). Under X-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance, needles will be placed in several discs. It is imperative that you inform your doctor of any blood thinning, anti-inflammatory, or aspirin-containing medications that you are taking, as well as of any allergies to X-ray dye or antibiotics that you may have. It may be necessary to hold your medications for a few days prior to the procedure.

On the day of the procedure, do not eat or drink anything but clear liquids for at least 4 hours prior to the your scheduled arrival time. Arrange for someone to drive you home following the procedure.

During the procedure your doctor will anesthetize the area in which he is working. In addition, you may be given intravenous sedative medications. It is very important that your doctor is able to communicate with you during the procedure. For this reason you will be awake. Although this may cause some discomfort, it will allow your doctor to get the most useful information possible from the test. The test will likely produce an increase in your pain, which may persist for several days. your doctor will provide pain medications to treat the expected short-term flare-up.

The most serious complication of discography is infection within the disc space, called discitis. It is extremely rare, and antibiotics will be instilled to help prevent it. Following the procedure, please inform your doctor of any fever, chills, swelling or redness at the injection sites, or pain persisting longer than 1 week. Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns that you might have with your doctor.

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