Discography for lumbar disc herniation

It is a percutaneous diagnostic intervention that is performed posteolaterally to visualize the intervertebral disc and confirm the level at which symptoms occur.

This intervention is indicated mainly in the intervertebral discs at the lumbar level. Disc injuries can produce various symptoms or even be asymptomatic and this procedure allows us to confirm the affected level when there are no alterations that are the cause of pain (vertebral body fractures, instability of the segment under study, compressive disc herniation, root involvement or stenosis channel)

It is performed in the operating room under local anesthesia and sedation, for which a preoperative study with the anesthetist is necessary and can be performed a few days before. During the procedure, a fluoroscope is also used to locate the region to be intervened, marking before placing the cannulas to introduce discography materials and controlling the procedure with it to avoid errors and treat segments that are not affected. The procedure usually lasts between 30-50 min, on average and consists of visualization by contrast and correlation of the symptoms by increasing the intradiscal pressure of the disc that produces symptoms by volume of the contrast liquid.

Before performing this procedure, a correct medical evaluation and having a lumbar girdle with appropriate posterior reinforcement is recommended. The procedure has different protocols that will be specified according to the patient's health status. It is an outpatient procedure and is discharged the same day of the intervention (4-6 hours later) and recommendations of rest for 15 days as well as medical treatment to treat the inflammation caused by the intervention.

After 15 days after the intervention, the surgical team will assess its evolution and its postoperative period can begin to be integrated with muscle strengthening measures, nutritional recommendations or radiographic control with 2 evaluations planned per month and 3 months after the intervention, although, If necessary, the patient's situation will be assessed at all times, especially if circumstances outside the protocol could appear such as falls at home, infections associated with the procedure or pain that is difficult to manage due to intolerance to the medication or side effects to the medications.

Remember that this information is made for disclosure purposes and that only a spine specialist will indicate the appropriate treatment for your spinal problem.