Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Kailash KothariMD Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, FIAPM (Pain Medicine) · 30+ years experience
- No surgery required for many conditions
- Same-day procedures
- International training & advanced techniques
What is Provocative Lumbar / Cervical Discography ?
When pain in the low back does not respond to the basic treatments it may be necessary to investigate the inter vertebral discs as possible pain generating structures.
Painful discs can be bulging or have tears, but often discs that look normal on X-rays or MRI may be painful.
The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes.
A small needle is guided into the center of the discs and dye is injected while X-rays are being taken and intra disc pressure is measured.
The disc is said to be a cause of pain, if injections produces pain which is same as your usual pain.
Provocative Lumbar
Cervical Discography
Who is Lumbar and cervical Provocative Discography for?
- Pain in the low back that does not respond to basic treatments
- Patients in whom inter vertebral discs may be pain generating structures
- Patients with painful discs that may be bulging or have tears
- Patients whose X-rays or MRI may look normal but disc pain is still suspected
How Lumbar and cervical Provocative Discography is performed
- A small needle is guided into the center of the discs
- Dye is injected while X-rays are being taken
- Intra disc pressure is measured
- The disc is considered a pain source if injection produces pain same as the usual pain
Before, during & after the procedure
Before: When pain in the low back does not respond to the basic treatments it may be necessary to investigate the inter vertebral discs as possible pain generating structures.
During: The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. A small needle is guided into the center of the discs and dye is injected while X-rays are being taken and intra disc pressure is measured.
After & recovery: The disc is said to be a cause of pain, if injections produces pain which is same as your usual pain.
Benefits of Lumbar and cervical Provocative Discography
- Investigates inter vertebral discs as possible pain generating structures
- Can identify painful discs even when X-rays or MRI look normal
- Helps confirm whether a disc is a cause of the usual pain
Conditions treated with this procedure
Medical references
This page is informed by guidance from the following authoritative medical sources: