A discogram is a procedure sometimes prescribed at our office. It is a diagnostic test that allows a physician to see which disc in particular is causing your pain. You may have many questions about this procedure if you have been scheduled to have one, but we have answers.
Yes. X-ray guidance is used for accurate needle placement. Whenever any needle is placed in the body there is the risk of infection, allergic reaction, local tissue breakdown, nerve injury, and paresis; but fortunately these complications are very rare for this type of procedure. Excessive amounts of cortisone can cause facial flushing, headache, water retention, insomnia, and anxiety. For the discogram, a small amount of cortisone is used.
The primary purpose of the discogram is to determine the source of your pain. Fluid is injected into a disc to raise the disc pressure and to see if your typical pain is reproduced. When performed correctly, this can properly identify a particular disc or discs as the source of pain.
Lidocaine and cortisone will be injected into the center of any painful discs that are found, and may be helpful in reducing pain from that disc. Reduction in pain will occur over the next 3 weeks.
You may be sore afterward for a couple of days. This will probably feel like a mild or moderate increase in intensity of the pain that you usually feel. After a couple of days, the pain should return to your normal pain level.
You will be given some i.v. medication to make you relaxed, though not into a deep sleep. A small needle is placed into the center of one or more discs. Fluid will be injected into a disc, raising the pressure inside the disc. You will be asked repeatedly what you are feeling, as the pressure changes inside the disc. The procedure takes 1 to 1 ½ hours but you will need to wait 45 minutes before and after the procedure.
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