Discography helps ISM pain care physicians diagnose whether a disc or discs between the vertebrae are causing pain. It is usually done only if a patient’s pain is significant enough to consider more invasive treatment such as surgery.
During discography, an ISM doctor uses a fluoroscope to locate a suspected pain-generating disc and dye is injected while the pain level is monitored. Discography may be used in conjunction with CAT scan or MRI to more accurately identify a pain-generating disc.
Discography helps the ISM pain specialist determine appropriate treatments. It also helps determine whether surgery to correct disc-related pain will be beneficial.