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Discography
When back pain persists despite conservative care and imaging studies haven't pinpointed the exact source, discography can provide the clarity needed to move forward with an effective treatment plan.
What is a Discography?
Discography (also called a discogram) is a diagnostic procedure in which a small amount of contrast dye is injected directly into one or more spinal discs. The response helps our team determine whether a specific disc is the true source of your pain. At River Cities Interventional Pain Specialists, discography is performed only when it will meaningfully change or refine your treatment options — giving you and Dr. Brewer the information you need to make confident decisions about your care.
What To Expect
The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance in our accredited surgical center. Here's what to expect:
✔️ You'll receive IV sedation to keep you comfortable, but you'll need to remain responsive enough to describe your sensations during the test.
✔️ A thin needle is guided into each disc being evaluated — typically 2–3 discs including an unaffected disc for comparison.
✔️ A small amount of contrast dye is injected into each disc. You may feel pressure or pain during injection — your response helps us confirm whether that disc is your pain source.
✔️ The entire procedure takes approximately 30–60 minutes.
✔️ Following the procedure, a CT scan is often performed to visualize the disc structure in detail.
Results and Recovery
You should plan to have someone drive you home after discography. You may experience increased soreness at the injection sites for 24–72 hours following the procedure — this is normal and typically managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients return to their normal routine within 1–3 days. Our team will review the results with you and use the findings to guide your next steps, which may include targeted injections, minimally invasive procedures, or other interventions.
WHO IS THIS BEST FOR?
Discography is considered when:
✔️ You have persistent back or neck pain that hasn't been explained by MRI or CT imaging alone
✔️ You are being evaluated for a minimally invasive spinal procedure and the specific pain-generating disc needs to be confirmed
✔️ Your pain pattern suggests disc involvement but conservative treatments have not provided lasting relief
✔️ Your care team needs objective diagnostic data before recommending a surgical or interventional approach
Frequently Asked Questions
No. MRI and CT imaging show the structure of your discs, but they can't always tell us whether a disc with an abnormal appearance is actually causing your pain. Discography provides functional information by testing how each disc responds to pressure — giving us a more complete diagnostic picture.
Discography is intentionally designed to reproduce your familiar pain so we can confirm the pain source. You will receive sedation to keep you comfortable, but some discomfort during injection is expected and is part of the diagnostic process. Our team will explain exactly what to expect beforehand.
Dr. Brewer will review your discography findings with you at a follow-up appointment and use the information to recommend the most appropriate next step in your treatment. This may include targeted injections, spinal cord stimulation, or a referral for minimally invasive surgery if appropriate.
Yes. Discography is a well-established diagnostic tool with a strong safety record when performed by experienced interventional pain specialists. As with any needle-based procedure, there is a small risk of infection, bleeding, or temporary increased pain — all of which our team takes every precaution to minimize.
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