Services Our Team Schedule Appointment Locations Patient Resources Research and Publications Links		Discogram Why is a discogram ordered?  A discogram may be ordered by your physician if specific information about a damaged spinal disc is desired. It can be used to identify whether a disc has been ruptured or is causing pain. Normal discs and even degenerated discs do not necessarily cause pain. Using the discogram, your physician may be able to identify a painful disc in the face of several abnormal appearing ones. It is often used as a prelude to surgery, to help localize the cause of pain. How is a discogram performed? The discogram is performed under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance by an experience practitioner. You will be given medication to help you relax and antibiotics may be given to help prevent infection. Using x-ray guidance, a long thin needle will be inserted through anesthetized skin into the center of the disc. Once the needle is inside the right disc, a small amount of fluid is injected to cause an increase in pressure. Several levels are tested to help determine which discs are painful. If injection of a disc causes pain that is similar to your usual pain symptoms, it is a good indication that the disc is the problematic one. If a disc is not the main source of pain, you may feel no discomfort or it may not reproduce your usual symptoms when injected. What should I do and expect after the procedure? Immediately afterward, you may be taken for a CT scan so that the anatomy of your disc can be better appreciated. On the day of the injection, you should not drive and should limit your activities. Over the next two to three days, your muscles may be sore and your usual pain aggravated. Ice will usually be more helpful than heat during this period. You can take your regular pain medication as prescribed. If needed, you may also be given a prescription for stronger pain medication. On the second or third day, you may return to your regular activities. Your soreness should improve by the third day and your pain should return to its baseline level. The discogram utilizes X-rays and contrast dye material. If you are pregnant, are nursing or if you have an allergy to shellfish, iodine or contrast dye, you should inform your physician. Please inform your physician if you are ill or taking antibiotics. Your physician will discuss the results of the studies with you and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.