Diagnosing Disc-Related Pain: What to Expect During and After Your Discogram

When persistent back pain hasn’t responded to conservative treatments such as physical therapy and medications, getting a discogram is a viable next step. 

Your spine has several stacked vertebral bones, and in between each vertebra are spongy cushions called discs. Discs provide shock absorption and flexibility for your spine and keep each vertebrate from rubbing against each other. 

Each disc has a hard outer surface and a soft, spongy center. If any disc ruptures, bulges, or wears down, it can press on the nerves in your spinal column and cause pain. And oftentimes, damaged discs are the cause of long-term back pain.

Don Enty, MD, and the rest of our team at Genesis Pain and Regenerative Medicine in Colleyville, Texas, understand the toll that chronic back pain can take on your life, especially when pain management methods have been unsuccessful. So, we offer discograms to help pinpoint where your disc-related pain is coming from and effectively address it. 

Who needs a discogram?

A discogram is an innovative and helpful diagnostic tool used to detect the source of your disc-related back pain. Typically, other imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI can find the cause of your back pain, but they can’t always see the exact location or full extent of the damage. Discograms can provide more of that necessary and detailed information.

Discograms can also provide insight into which discs require removal before spinal fusion surgery.

Undergoing a discogram isn’t the first course of action. Dr. Enty may suggest a discogram if your back pain has persisted despite trying other treatment methods such as medication and physical therapy. 

What happens during a discogram?

The first step in a discogram is to administer local anesthesia to numb the treatment area on your back.

During the discogram, Dr. Enty uses X-ray technology to guide him as he places a needle through your skin and into the suspected affected disc. Next, he injects a dye into the disc. If the disc is healthy, the dye stays contained; however, if it’s damaged, it leaks to other areas. 

If the injected disc is damaged, you should also feel the pain you experience daily. The dye and pain tests signal Dr. Enty that he’s found the correct disc. He may need to inject a few discs before he can locate the damaged one that’s causing your pain.

Dr. Enty also gathers images using X-rays and CT scans after he injects the discs to assess the discs further after the discogram is complete.

What happens after a discogram?

After your discogram, you may experience some soreness, but it should subside within a day or two. Otherwise, a discogram doesn’t require any recovery time. 

After Dr. Enty has reviewed the results of your discogram, he discusses his findings with you and what the next steps in your treatment plan might look like. Your treatment plan relies heavily on whether he found disc damage, where the disc damage is, and how severe it is. 

To learn if a discogram could be the right next step in treating your back pain, schedule a consultation with Dr. Enty by calling or booking online today.