All Treatments
Diagnostic Services
Discography
30 to 45 minutes
Soreness at the injection site for 1 to 3 days; avoid heavy activity for 48 hours
Discography is a specialized diagnostic procedure that identifies which spinal disc is the source of your pain. Under fluoroscopic guidance, contrast is injected into suspected discs while monitoring whether the injection reproduces your typical pain pattern. This provocative test is critical for patients considering surgical intervention, as it confirms the exact level requiring treatment.
How It Works
- 1Under fluoroscopic guidance, a thin needle is placed into the center of the suspect disc
- 2Contrast dye is injected, pressurizing the disc
- 3You report whether the injection reproduces your typical pain
- 4Multiple levels may be tested to identify the concordant disc
- 5CT imaging after the procedure shows disc morphology
Benefits
- Definitively identifies the pain-generating disc
- Essential for surgical planning at the correct level
- Reveals disc morphology (tears, degeneration)
- Prevents surgery at the wrong level
Conditions This Treats
- Discogenic back pain
- Pre-surgical planning for fusion or disc replacement
- Multi-level disc disease (identifying the symptomatic level)
"The least intervention for the greatest outcome." Dr. Osman recommends this treatment only when it is the most appropriate option for your specific condition and goals.
Is Discography Right for You?
Book a consultation with Dr. Osman to discuss whether this treatment fits your specific condition and goals.