What is a spinal discography?

What is a spinal discography?

A discogram, also called discography, is an imaging test used to evaluate back pain. A discogram might help your doctor determine if a specific abnormal disk in your spine is causing your back pain. Spinal disks are spongelike cushions between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine.

Does a discography hurt?

How Painful Is a Discogram? The needle insertions for IV and local anesthetic may cause a mild stinging pain from the pricking. The discogram is designed to provoke existing pain to find out the source, so certain amount of pain is to be expected.

Is a lumbar Discogram painful?

This process should not be painful, but sometimes may be. The discogram procedure usually takes less than an hour to perform. You’ll have soreness from the needle punctures that lasts several days. You may use acetaminophen, ibuprofen or apply an ice pack for a few minutes to ease the soreness.

What is a cervical discography?

Cervical discography, cervical disc puncture with contrast dye injection under fluoroscopic guidance, is a commonly used modality in the evaluation of patients with intractable neck pain. MRI and CT scans are the initial tests in the diagnostic evaluation of symptomatic cervical discs.

How do you perform discography?

In a discogram, a contrast liquid is injected into the center of one or more spinal discs using x-ray guidance. This injection may temporarily reproduce the patient’s back pain symptoms. As part of the procedure, an x-ray or CT scan also may be performed to obtain pictures of the injected disc.

Are you awake during a Discogram?

During Your Procedure You will remain awake throughout the procedure. You will be asked to lie on your stomach or side on an examination table. Monitors will be placed on you to measure your heart rate, blood pressure, and the oxygen level in your blood. Your back will be cleaned.

How much does a discography cost?

On MDsave, the cost of a Discography (lumbar, cervical, thoracic) ranges from $3,050 to $3,605. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.

What is a positive Discogram?

If the disc is the source of your back, spine, extremity and/or leg pain the injection will temporarily reproduce your symptoms, thus resulting a positive discogram. If the disc is not the source of your pain the injection will not reproduce your symptoms or cause any discomfort, thus resulting a negative discogram.

What is a Discogram?

Your doctor has recommended you for a discogram. This is a test to determine if back or neck pain is being caused by a weakened, damaged or displaced disk. Disks are cushionlike pads made up of cartilage and a jellylike substance. They act as shock absorbers between the bones in the spine.

What is meant by discography?

1 : a descriptive list of recordings by category, composer, performer, or date of release an Elvis Presley discography. 2 : the history of recorded music.

What does a positive Discogram mean?

What is a Discogram for?