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Lumbar Discogram

Lumbar Discogram in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills CA

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Lumbar Discogram in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills CA

The lumbar discogram is a test used to determine if a disc is the source of back pain. This test stresses the intervertebral disc to evaluate if it is reproducing pain. This allows the doctor to visualize the disc and observe the architecture of it.

According to controlled studies, the lumbar intervertebral discs are proven sources of chronic back pain without disc herniation in 26-39% of patients. Lumbar discogram is a useful evaluate to distinguish a painful disc from other sources of pain.

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Lumbar Discogram

Intelligent Pain Solutions treats all types of simple and complicated pain conditions. like back and neck pain.

  • What is the purpose of the lumbar discogram?

    • Most spinal injections are used for analgesic effect, where the structure is numbed to reduce pain for a period of time. The lumbar discogram is designed for diagnostic purposes, where the doctor can reproduce pain in an awake pain to prove or disprove that the disc is causing the discomfort. The test allows the doctor to see the morphology of the disc, which is what the inside looks like.

  • What causes lower discogenic back pain?

    • The back pain associated with a disc can be severe. Discogenic pain is caused by an aggravation of pain receptors in the torn annulus (outer disc layer) or the compression of a degenerative bony vertebra (back bone). The lumbar discogram is designed to stress these structures and reproduce pain.

  • How do I prepare for the lumbar discogram?

    • Before the test, you should arrange someone to come with you to drive you home. In addition, you need to make the doctor aware of any medications you are taking, as blood-thinning agents must be held prior to the test. When you arrive at the medical center, a nurse will place an IV catheter in your arm, and give you a mild sedative. You must first sign an informed consent form to allow the doctor permission to conduct the procedure.

  • How is the lumbar discogram performed?

    • WThe lumbar discogram is quite simple. The doctor will position you on your stomach, and numb skin of the lower back with an anesthetic. Once the tissues are numb, the pain management doctor in Los Angeles will insert a needle into the center of the disc (nucleus) using x-ray guidance.

      Contrast dye mixed with an antibiotic will be injected so the doctor ca see if tears are present in the disc wall. If the wall is intact, the dye will not leak into the surrounding tissues. During the injection process, the doctor will ask you questions regarding discomfort and pain.

  • What do the results of the discogram mean?

    • If any normal discs are painful, this indicates that the patient is not a good surgical candidate. A normal disc may cause mild discomfort when pressure is applied, but will not be painful.

      If the discogram shows that only damaged discs are painful, then the procedure has been successful in proving disc-related pain, as with degenerative disc disease or a herniated disc. If no discs are painful, then the lower back pain is probably coming from some other source. In 90% of cases, the discogram results indicate a non-painful normal disc and a painful torn disc(s).

  • Are the lumbar discogram results accurate?

    • In a large systematic review of studies performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the lumbar discogram for low back pain, researchers found quality evidence supporting this test. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found that the lumbar discogram was accurate for diagnosing disc disease.







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Conditions

Intelligent Pain Solutions treats all types of simple and complicated pain conditions. Relief is impressive for sciatica, back and neck pain.

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Over 90% of patients at Intelligent Pain Solutions are able to avoid potentially risky surgery, achieve pain relief and become more functional.

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Treatments at Intelligent Pain Solutions are cutting edge and performed by a first rate pain management doctors in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

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