In-Depth Information

The Spine Diagnostic & Pain Treatment Center

Diagnosing Disc Pain

Discography, or a discogram, is a diagnostic tool used to determine the structural integrity of an intervertebral disc (or discs). It helps us determine if a particular disc is responsible for your back pain.

The test is performed on an outpatient basis with sedation. Fluoroscopy, an imaging technique that projects an X-ray picture onto a monitor, is used to guide the spinal needle into the suspect intervertebral disc. A radiopaque dye is then injected through the spinal needle into the nucleus of the disc.

During the test, we evaluate the dye pattern for leaks occurring outside the intervertebral disc walls. At this time, your symptoms (e.g., back pain, tingling sensation) may be replicated due to the pressure created by the dye injection (provocative discography).

Discography is indicated when a patient’s symptoms are severe and persist despite conservative therapy, when the results of other diagnostic tests (e.g., MRI) prove inconclusive and/or if a disc abnormality is suspected. We use the results of a discogram to confirm a diagnosis.

A CT scan is usually performed on the painful disc after the dye is injected to obtain images of the dye distribution. The CT scan will reveal annular tears, scarring, disc bulges and changes in the disc’s nucleus. The combination of discogram and CT scan helps us:

Recreate painful symptoms/disc abnormalities
Confirm a diagnosis/determine the specific source of pain

The discogram takes approximately 30 minutes plus an additional 30 minutes if a CT scan is indicated. Recovery time may be several hours. Both the discogram and CT scan are valuable diagnostic tools. In those cases where surgery is indicated, they can also provide us with a clearer picture of your specific problem prior to surgery.

The Pain Management Specialists you choose makes a difference.

The Spine Diagnostic & Pain Treatment Center is the largest and one of the most trusted pain relief practices in Louisiana. Our dedication to advanced comprehensive care means you can rely on our state-of-the-art techniques and technology for quality outcomes.
Our fellowship-trained, double-board-certified anesthesiologists and pain management specialists will spend as much time as necessary to make you feel comfortable. You’ll be greeted warmly, treated with respect and given answers to their questions in simple, easy-to-understand language.
In addition to experienced Pain Management Specialists, we have an on-site physiatrist highly skilled in performing electrodiagnostic studies to test for nerve damage.
When your doctors refer you to us, they’ll get timely reports and personal updates to make sure your doctor remains a vital part of your care. We will also make ourselves available to your doctor should they ever have questions or wish to discuss a case.
The Spine Diagnostic & Pain Treatment Center offers minimally invasive interventional techniques to relieve pain and increase function and mobility without major surgery.
We strive to keep our care convenient and affordable. The Spine Diagnostic & Pain Treatment Center is here to help as many people as we can.

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In-Depth Information:

Spine Diagnostic and Pain Treatment Center has three locations in Baton Rouge, Gonzales and Denham Springs, Louisiana. Our pain management specialists offer effective pain relief treatment for chronic pain, back pain, neck pain, nerve pain, arm pain, leg pain, shingles, arthritis, herniated disc, CRPS, RSD, work related injury, sports injury, and post surgery pain. On staff Louisiana Pain Medicine Physicians use a team approach for pain management.