While back pain can be caused by many different types of conditions and ailments, discography can help to determine whether or not an abnormal disc is causing the pain. Also referred to as disc stimulation testing, discography is a testing method used to assess the internal structure of a disc in an effort to identify the exact source of back pain.
With age or injury, the walls of the spinal discs can become damaged or fissured. This can result in chronic back pain, specifically a deep ache that radiates into the buttocks or the thigh. Discography can help determine whether or not pain is being caused by a damaged disc.
During discography, a contrast dye (a liquid that shows up on an X-ray) is injected into the spinal disc to determine whether the disc is normal or abnormal. In normal discs, the contrast stays in the center whereas in abnormal discs it will spread through tears. Throughout the procedure, you may be asked the location and what type of pain you are experiencing, if any, to better help the physician determine the source of your pain. Widespread disc degeneration is identified by the contrast spreading throughout the disc space.
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Certain specific indications for discography include patients for whom back surgery has failed, continued acute pain after other tests, assessment of already known abnormal discs and evaluation of approved patients for minimally invasive surgery.
If you, a friend or family member is suffering from chronic pain, call us today at (732) 984-9567 to schedule a consultation with a member of the Advanced Wellness team.
