Lumbar Discogram

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Lumbar Discogram

Lumbar Discogram

A lumbar discogram is a diagnostic procedure that is performed to help find the cause of your chronic back and leg pain. The discs in the lumbar spine form cushions between the vertebrae of the lumbar spine. These discs can often become degenerated or "worn out." This can lead to symptoms such as back, hip, buttock and leg pain. The pain management doctors at Tulsa Pain Consultants will use a lumbar discogram to determine exactly which discs are affected, and will use that information to create a comprehensive treatment program. 

Definition

A lumbar discogram is a diagnostic procedure that is used by the specialists at Tulsa Pain to determine if a damaged disc in the spine is the source and cause of low back and leg pain. These spinal discs are located in between the bones of the spine and are round, with a hard outer layer and a softer inner core.

During the discogram procedure, contrast dye will be injected into the disc. If the dye remains in the disc, it can be determined that the disc is intact. If dye leaks outside the disc, however, it is likely that the disc has been damaged and may be contributing to chronic back pain.

Procedure

The discogram procedure will be done as an outpatient procedure, meaning the patient will be able to return home the same day. The actual procedure only takes about thirty minutes, but patients will need to plan for a longer visit to accommodate any paperwork, prep, and recovery time.

The patient will lie face down on their stomach, and will be awake during the procedure. After the lumbar area is sanitized, the physician may inject a local anesthetic to make the procedure more comfortable.

A type of live x-ray called fluoroscopy will be used during the procedure to help the physician ensure accurate placement of the contrast dye. Once the correct location has been determined, the patient will go to a pre-scheduled CT study immediately following the discogram in our office to see if the dye has spread outside the confines of the disc. If the dye has spread outside the disc, it’s generally assumed that the disc is damaged and may be causing your pain. Additionally, if it is the disc that is causing the patient’s chronic pain symptoms, they will feel pain that is similar to their daily pain during the course of the injection. During the procedure, the physician may ask the patient to rate their pain on a 1 to 10 pain scale.

Once the procedure is over, the physician will remove the needle and may place a small bandage over the injection site. The patient will then be monitored as they recover, and will be sent home when the staff has determined that they’re ready. The patient will need to be driven home, and should spend the rest of the day resting at home.

After Care

It is normal to feel some pain at the site of the injection following the procedure, and ice can be applied to relieve pain. Over the counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen may also be used to manage discomfort.

If the patient develops severe back pain or a fever following the procedure, it’s important to contact their Tulsa Pain physician immediately.

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