Lumbar Discograms
A lumbar discogram, also called lumbar discography, is a minimally invasive, preoperative diagnostic test to determine whether a disk in the lower spine is the primary cause of back pain with or without leg pain (sciatica).
At Greater Houston and Greater Victoria Interventional Pain Management our doctors provide lumbar discograms services to help diagnose your back pain.
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Lumbar Discograms
A lumbar discogram, also called lumbar discography, is a minimally invasive, preoperative diagnostic test to determine whether a disk in the lower spine is the primary cause of back pain with or without leg pain (sciatica).
At Greater Houston and Greater Victoria Interventional Pain Management our doctors provide lumbar discograms services to help diagnose your back pain.
What is the lumbar discograms procedure?
The test involves injecting a contrast agent into the disk that is suspected to be the cause of the pain. The injection increases the pressure in the disk and causes the symptoms.
The contrast agent provides high-contrast anatomical information about the disk, such as the integrity of its structure, possible tears and possible degenerative changes, through a series of x-rays or computed tomography scans (CT).
The results of discography influence the surgical decision-making process and the precise selection of spinal levels for lumbar spinal fusion surgery. The examination may also be performed in the neck (cervical discography) or upper back (thoracic discography) to analyze disk-related pain in these spinal segments.
Discography is not usually used as a stand-alone examination to diagnose a diseased disk. It is performed in conjunction with a specialized, sensitive imaging modality such as CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
What to expect after my lumbar discograms appointment
Our doctors will review the images and the information you provided about the pain you had during the procedure to help pinpoint the source of your back pain. With this information, we will guide your treatment or prepare for surgery.
Doctors usually don’t rely on the results of a discogram alone because a disk with wear-and-tear change might not cause pain. Also, pain responses during a discogram can vary widely.
Receive lumbar discograms services at Greater Houston and Greater Victoria Interventional Pain Management today. We have different clinics to cover a wider area and make care more accessible. Visit the nearest clinic by scheduling an appointment now.
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in 2 minutes!