The goal of a lumbar discogram is to determine if one or more of your intervertebral discs is causing your pain. A surgical procedure may be suggested based on the results of this test.

You will be escorted to a room where a nurse will conduct a pre-procedure interview.

The physician who will perform the injection reviews your medical history, previous imaging studies, current medications and physical exam results in order to help plan the best approach for the injection. If you have not had a physical exam prior to the injection, the physician will perform an exam at this time.

You will remain awake during the entire process. Blood pressure, heart rate and breathing are continually monitored.

After you are lying face down on the procedure table, the injection site is cleansed with an antiseptic. This procedure involves inserting a needle through the skin, muscle and soft tissues, so there is some slight discomfort involved.

An injection of local anesthetic (numbing medication) will be administered in the area where you are experiencing pain. The physician then directs a needle with the use of X-ray guidance and deposits the medication. This procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.

• You may experience increased pain and pressure in your back with additional pain radiating down your lower extremities. This can last for several hours to several days and can be significantly greater than before the procedure. You can apply ice to the area for as long as 15 minutes, three to four times a day for localized pain.

• You may experience some dizziness during or soon after the injection and this is more common after injections in the neck.

• Do not drive for the remainder of the day
• Do not take a tub bath or soak in water (i.e. pool, hot tub) for 24 hours after the procedure
• Allow three days post-procedure before resuming physical therapy

• Lidocaine or bupivacaine are local anesthetics which are used to numb the area of injection; this numbness usually wears off within two to six hours
• Cefazolin or Clindamycin is an antibiotic injected into the disc
• Iopamidol, an x-ray contrast agent, is injected into the area to confirm correct placement.

• If you experience any swelling, redness, bleeding or discharge from the site of the injection
• If you have a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• If you experience new or worsening back or neck pain
• If you experience a new numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
• If you experience new difficulty with urination after the injection, like difficulty urinating or suddenly losing control of your bladder
• If you experience new difficulty with your bowel movements after the injection, like suddenly losing control of your bowels
• If you develop a new headache after the procedure