LUMBAR DISCOGRAPHY

About Lumbar Discography

Revolutionary advancements in medical science have ushered in a plethora of innovative techniques for identifying and managing back pain, including Lumbar Discography, a diagnostic tool that helps accurately determine the pain’s source and consequently lays the foundation for personalized treatment plans. In this discussion, our expert back doctors from Bedford & Benbrook, TX will delve into the intricacies of lumbar discography, its functionality, its frequent applications, and its significance in devising effective therapeutic strategies.

Also known as a “Discogram,” Lumbar Discography is a diagnostic method applied to scrutinize intervertebral discs in the lower back. This involves injecting a contrast dye into one or more discs to detect which could be triggering pain, allowing medical professionals to assess disc structure and identify potential sources of discomfort.

The Lumbar Discography Procedure

During a typical lumbar discography session, the patient is asked to lie on their stomach or side. Their skin is then sanitized and numbed using a local anesthetic. With the guidance of fluoroscopy (a real-time X-ray imaging technique), a needle is carefully guided to inject dye into the disc space, illuminating any abnormalities or injuries within. This often triggers a replication of pain symptoms, helping clinicians pinpoint the problematic disc.

Lumbar Discography’s Role in Treating Common Disorders

Degenerative Disc Disease: Lumbar discography aids in diagnosing degenerative disc disease, a condition where intervertebral discs progressively degenerate, leading to enduring lower back pain. Discography serves as a decisive diagnostic tool before deciding on suitable treatment methods. Disc Herniation: This is a condition in which the disc’s inner core extrudes through its exterior layer, compressing surrounding nerves, causing discomfort and irritation. Lumbar discography helps detect the culprit disc, providing surgeons a more focused path for surgical interventions like discectomy.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Lumbar discography can assist patients experiencing ongoing back pain post back surgery by identifying the offending disc, thereby determining if additional surgery or alternative therapies are needed for effective relief. Chronic Back Pain: When the origin of chronic back pain remains elusive despite extensive exploration and imaging tests, lumbar discography can provide critical insights. By locating the specific discs causing discomfort, healthcare providers can devise a more focused treatment plan.

Treatment Options and Advantages

Identifying the troublesome disc(s) via lumbar discography enables The Comprehensive Pain Institute’s healthcare professionals to formulate patient-specific treatment plans. These might encompass physical therapy, pain management strategies, medication, or surgical procedures based on severity. Lumbar discography’s precision diagnosis facilitates personalized treatments that target the exact source of the pain, thereby improving patient outcomes and enhancing their quality of life.

Managing Chronic Back Pain in Bedford & Benbrook, TX

Lumbar discography holds a crucial place in diagnosing and treating lower back ailments. By pinpointing the pain’s origin accurately, this diagnostic tool allows our professional team at CPI in Bedford & Benbrook, TX to craft effective treatment plans to address the root problems.

If you’re plagued by persistent lower back pain that has remained unresolved by other diagnostic imaging methods, considering lumbar discography as a potential course of action might prove beneficial. Give us a call to ascertain if lumbar discography would be a viable treatment alternative for you and to determine the best course of action for your condition. Visit our pain management locations here.

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