What is a Discography AKA Discogram?

Question

Im 19 and have been dealing with a serious spinal injury since February 2007. I have a L-5, S-1 anular tear and fluid around my S-I joints and in my Facet joints. I had cotisone injections in June, they did not help. And on August 19th I had a Medial Nerve Branch Block. Next my spine speacialist wants to to a disography or a chronic pain management program. So I guess I have 2 's: What in the world is a discogram/discoraphy, and what woul be in my best interest, a surgical procedure or a chronic pain management program? I'm also not sure I want to have back surgery because I have a 5 month old baby and I'm a single mom and I do not have anyone to help me if I have surgery.

Answer 1

A discogram is an invasive type of imaging study where by dye is injected into the disc to

A: Determine the competence of the disc (although it sounds like you already know it's torn...albiet we don't know if the tear has disrupted the fluid within the disc)

B: To determine if your MRI correlates with your symptoms.  If so, injection into the disc should replicate your symptoms.

A positive test would inidicate that your MRI is consistent with your pain pattern. A negative discogram would indicate that your MRI findings may be irrelevant.

A positive discogram would give you a better indication as to whether you may benefit from surgery.  A negative discogram may indicate that you need to seek alternative treatments as opposed to surgery (such as pain management).