The spine plays a pivotal role in our overall health and mobility. Unfortunately, with its crucial function comes vulnerability to a range of painful conditions. Among them, spinal pain or axial pain stands out as a prevalent concern for many.
Let’s learn the mystery surrounding spinal and axial pain and explore the role of discography in diagnosis and treatment in this blog.
Understanding Axial Pain
The pain localised to one section of the body, specifically the spine, without radiating elsewhere is termed as Axial Pain. It may show up as
- Axial Back Pain: Pain specific in the back.
- Axial Neck Pain: Pain restricted to the neck area.
- Axial Low Back Pain: Pain specifically in the lower back region
Understanding Spinal Pain
Spinal pain encompasses discomfort felt anywhere from the neck (cervical) down to the lower back (lumbar). It can be
Acute: Lasting a few days to weeks, often due to sudden injuries or strains.
Chronic: Persistent pain that lasts more than 12 weeks, sometimes even when the initial injury has healed.
Why Discography?
Discography, also known as discogram, is a diagnostic procedure used to determine if a specific intervertebral disc is the source of axial back pain. It’s particularly useful when other diagnostic tests, such as MRIs or X-rays, are inconclusive.
Discography remains a valuable tool in the diagnostic procedures for back pain. By providing a clearer picture of disc health and pain sources, it sets the foundation for informed treatment decisions.
Procedure
Let’s take a look at the steps done in Discography
- Preparation: The patient lies in a prone position, and the skin over the targeted disc area is cleaned and numbed.
- Fluoroscopy Guide: Using a fluoroscope (X-ray machine type), the physician identifies the exact location for needle insertion.
- Contrast Injection: A needle is carefully inserted into the suspected disc, and a contrast dye is injected. This dye will show up on X-ray imagery, providing a clear view of the disc’s interior.
- Patient Feedback: If the injection recreates the patient’s typical pain, it suggests that the specific disc is the source of the discomfort.
- Imaging Analysis Post-procedure imaging, like CT scans, may be employed to see how the dye spreads, providing insights into the disc’s condition.
Benefits Of Discography
For patients suffering from axial pain or spinal pain, discography can be beneficial in many ways including
- Pain Source Identification: For patients considering surgical interventions, it’s crucial to pinpoint the exact pain source.
- Supporting Other Tests: When traditional imaging tests remain inconclusive, discography can provide additional information.
- Treatment Decisions: Knowing the pain source can lead to targeted treatments, increasing the likelihood of success.
Controversies and Concerns
Transparency, education, and the wellbeing of our patients are our top priorities at the Spine and Pain Clinic of Texas. We are aware of the controversy surrounding discography.
We want our patients to be comfortable, confident, and well-informed when making decisions about their health.Get our Services today. Here’s how we address these concerns
- By Managing Induced Pain rather than only identifying it. Our team of experts uses advanced techniques and advanced equipment to reduce pain.
- Ensuring safe procedures for every patient. At our clinic, we maintain the highest standards of hygiene and procedural safety.
- By reducing false positives and ensuring the most accurate interpretation of discography results.
Wrap-up
Both spinal and axial pain, though different in their presentations, can impact one’s life. Recognizing the symptoms, understanding the causes, and seeking timely intervention are keys to managing and potentially alleviating the discomfort.
At the Spine and Pain Clinic of Texas, our commitment is unwavering, Contact us now and get your right diagnosis today. We aim to guide every patient, helping them understand the nuances of spinal and axial pain and directing them towards effective treatments immediately.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this website, including all text, graphics, and photos, is only for general informational purposes and should not be used in place of consulting a qualified healthcare provider for advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always get advice from a doctor or other skilled healthcare professional if you have any medical concerns. The Spine and Pain Clinic of Texas makes every effort to assure the trustworthiness and accuracy of the information provided. The user assumes all risks associated with reliance on any information available on this website.
