Exam time: 30 minutes to 1
and one half hours
Most exams require patient to remain at CAI 30 minutes post-procedure.
Discography is an x-ray procedure that deliberately provokes the
patient's pain symptoms in order to pinpoint their source in the
intervertebral discs. The procedure is designed to create a road-map
to show the physician where pain patterns are originating, making
the discogram an excellent surgical planning tool.
Discography is reserved for patients who have not responded to medications
and conservative treatments--such as bed rest, traction, or physical
therapy--and for whom the possibility of lumbar surgery is being
considered. Besides studying abnormal discs, discograms can detect
problems within intervertebral discs that appear normal on the
CT/MRI scan.
Patients will be awake throughout the discogram and will lie slightly
tilted to one side. The radiologist will place a thin needle into
the disc, using x-ray guidance. Contrast will be injected and x-rays
taken. During the injection, patients will be asked to explain what
he/she is feeling--i.e., is this your usual pain? A CT
scan may be performed following the injection. The entire procedure
takes from 30 minutes to one hour.
Because patients may experience some numbness from the anesthetic,
he/she will need a driver after the exam and should make the necessary
arrangements or request assistance in advance from CAI.
Preparation/Restrictions:
- CAI will contact patient 4-5 days in advance to review medications/allergies
- Stop blood thinners 48 hours in advance; stop pain medication
eight hours in advance
- Nothing by mouth 6 hours prior to procedure
- Patient should bring previous films
- Patient will need a driver. Patients who do not bring a driver
will be rescheduled.
Side Effects:
Increased symptoms may occur for 2-3 days due to procedure. Prescription
medications may be given at the time of the procedure to relieve these
symptoms. Prescription medications must be obtained from the ordering
physician.
| Frequently
Asked Questions: |
Q: Is the procedure painful?
A: A discogram reveals the exact source of the disc pain by awakening
the pain response in that disc. When a healthy disc is injected,
your patient will feel little or no pain. If the disc is not
healthy, the pain may intensify. As soon as that symptom has
been recorded, however, the radiologist will put the disc to
sleep with a local anesthetic.
Q: How soon will the patient return to normal?
A: Pain level may be increased for two or three days after the
procedure, but should begin to subside by the third day. It may
take as long as a week to return to the level of pain experienced
before the procedure. He/she should plan
to limit activities for the rest of the day after the procedure.
He/she may eat as usual, but may or may not feel like returning
to work. |
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