Cervical and Lumbar Discography

What is it?
A discogram is a diagnostic test performed to view and assess the internal structure of a disk and to determine if the disk is a source of pain. 

How is it done?
The patient is given intravenous medication as a relaxant and sedative.  A local anesthetic is injected into the patient’s skin in the area that is being examined.  A needle is inserted into the disk under fluoroscopy.  A saline solution and radiopaque dye are injected into the disk and x-ray pictures are taken to demonstrate annular tears, scarring, disk bulges and changes in the nucleus of the disk.

How long does it take?
The procedure takes approximately 30-45 minutes with an additional 30-45 minutes of recovery time. 

Expected Results:
1. Recreation of painful symptoms if the disk(s) is generating your pain.
2. Confirmation of a diagnosis and/or determination of which disk(s) is the source of pain.

Preparing for your procedure:
Please complete the pre-procedure pain diagram form and bring this form with you the day of your procedure. Include a list of any and all medications you are currently taking.

If you have had an MRI, CT scan or other films, please bring copies with you. Without films, the physician will NOT perform the procedure.

If you are having a CERVICAL (neck) Discogram and have an ALLERGY to Cephalosporins (Keflex, Ceftin, …) please call 443-481-1385 to inform the nurses. 

You must have a driver accompany you on the day of your procedure.  You will receive IV sedation for the procedure.  If a driver is unavailable, the procedure will be canceled per hospital policy.   We must be able to contact your driver before, during and after your procedure either by phone or pager (pagers are available at the Short Stay Unit front desk…please ask).

Plan to be at the hospital up to 3 hours.  Please do not bring young children with you.

If you live more than 4 hours from Annapolis, we recommend you stay in town overnight.  Please call 1- 800-952-7246 for hotel information.

The day of your procedure:
On the day of your procedure, report directly to the Short Stay Unit on the second floor of the Acute Care Pavilion at least one hour prior to your scheduled appointment time for registration. Please bring your insurance information with you. 

Please do not eat or drink for at least 4 hours prior to the procedure.  A snack will be provided after the procedure.

You may take pain medication up to 4 hours prior to the exam time with a sip of water.  If you receive pain medication by a skin patch, you must call the nurses at 443-481-1385 for further instructions.  You may bring your pain medication with you to take after the procedure. 

If you are DIABETIC:
If your exam is before 12 noon, do not eat or take any diabetic medication before the procedure.  Bring your medication with you.

If your exam is 12 noon or after, please eat breakfast before 7:00 am and take your diabetes pill or ½ your morning dose of insulin.  Bring your medication with you.

Other MEDICATIONS:
Please take all of your routinely prescribed medications the day of the procedure including blood pressure, heart, thyroid pills, etc. 

NOTE: If you take BLOOD THINNERS OR ANTIPLATLET medications (examples: Coumadin, Heparin. Plavix or Lovenox) please contact the prescribing physician to discuss your risk of stopping these medications for your test/procedure.  We REQUIRE that Coumadin is stopped for 5 days prior to your test/procedure, and that Plavix is stopped for 7 days prior to your test/procedure. Please call 443-481-1385 for further instructions or if you have questions about your medications.    YOUR PROCEDURE WILL BE CANCELED IF THESE MEDICATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN STOPPED. 

You must be healthy the day of the exam.  You cannot have a fever, infection, sore throat or cough. Please call 443-481-1385 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; leave a message and one of the nurses will call you back to discuss your possible illness.

There you will be seen by Dr. Thompson, Dr. Eckel, Dr. Dagher, or Dr. Clark before the procedure to discuss your condition, x-rays, and purpose of the test.

After the procedure:
You will be given written discharge instructions before you leave and preliminary results will be given to you and your driver. You will receive a copy of the discogram film that is taken. The films you brought with you will be returned upon your discharge.  Please take the copy of the discogram picture to your referring physician when you return for your follow up appointment.

You can expect the pain you had before the procedure to continue after the numbing medicine wears off.   You may experience a flare-up of your pain for 3 to 5 days following the procedure. 

Your referring physician will receive a dictated report from Dr. Thompson, Dr. Eckel, Dr. Dagher or Dr. Clark 8 to 10 days following your visit.

If you are in physical therapy, check with your referring physician before resuming treatment.  Dr. Thompson, Dr. Eckel, Dr. Dagher and Dr. Clark recommend delaying physical therapy 48 to 72 hours post procedure.

If you have any questions regarding your procedure, please call the nurses at 443-481-1385.