When your back pain won’t go away and scans don’t give clear answers, the next step is finding a diagnostic tool that does more than just show pictures—it gets to the root of the pain.
At The Physicians Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists, we provide advanced diagnostics like lumbar discography to uncover the true source of your discomfort. As trusted experts in non-surgical spine care across greater Atlanta, we use targeted testing to guide precise, effective treatment plans.
Let’s explore how this specialized lower back pain test works, and why it may be the turning point in your care.
What Is a Lumbar Discography?
Lumbar discography, also known as a discogram, is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to determine if a spinal disc is the source of your back pain. Unlike standard imaging, such as MRIs or X-rays, discography actively recreates your pain to identify the specific disc causing your symptoms.
During the procedure:
- A contrast dye is injected into targeted spinal discs.
- The test replicates your pain by applying pressure to these discs.
- Imaging (typically fluoroscopy or CT) is used to assess disc structure.
This combination of pressure testing and imaging gives a more complete picture of your spine, allowing your physician to isolate the exact disc contributing to your pain.
Signs You May Need a Discography Test
A lumbar discography is not the first step in diagnosing lower back pain, but it is often recommended when other imaging fails to provide answers.
You may be a candidate if you experience:
- Persistent chronic back pain symptoms that don’t respond to rest or medication
- Pain that radiates down the legs (suggesting nerve involvement)
- Difficulty with daily activities or mobility
- Pain that worsens in specific positions or movements
- No clear diagnosis from MRI, CT, or other non-invasive scans
If you’ve exhausted conservative options without a clear cause, this test can offer much-needed clarity.
How Discography Pinpoints the Problem Disc
What makes the discography procedure unique is its ability to simulate your pain under controlled conditions. As dye is injected into each disc, the physician will ask you to describe any discomfort. If the pain produced matches your regular symptoms, it confirms that the disc is the source.
Key advantages of this targeted approach include:
- Confirming which disc (if any) is causing pain
- Avoiding unnecessary treatments for unrelated spinal levels
- Supporting decisions for surgical or non-surgical interventions
In short, discography helps connect your symptoms to a specific anatomical cause, which is essential for building an effective care plan.
Why Accurate Diagnosis Is Crucial for Lower Back Pain Treatment
Accurate diagnosis leads to targeted lower back pain treatment. Without knowing which disc is responsible, even well-intentioned therapies may not relieve your pain.
Benefits of discography-based diagnosis include:
- Precision in choosing interventional treatments like epidural injections or nerve blocks
- Confidence in selecting surgical procedures when necessary
- Avoiding trial-and-error approaches that prolong discomfort
By narrowing down the pain source, discography can save patients time, money, and unnecessary procedures.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Lumbar Discography?
Not every patient with back pain needs this test. It’s typically recommended for individuals who:
- Have long-standing, unexplained chronic lower back pain
- Have tried other diagnostic tests without a conclusive result
- Are being evaluated for spinal fusion or other surgical options
- Need a more detailed understanding of disc health before pursuing treatment
Our experts at The Physicians will carefully assess your condition and medical history to determine if discography is appropriate for you.
How The Physicians Can Help
The Physicians is a trusted provider of non-surgical back pain solutions in the greater Atlanta area. Our multi-location practice offers advanced diagnostics and customized care for patients dealing with unresolved back pain.
Our discography services are performed by experienced interventional specialists who understand the complexity of spinal pain. Once your discography is complete, we use the findings to design a precise care plan, which may include:
- Medication management
- Image-guided injections
- Nerve ablation procedures
- Minimally invasive spine interventions
We proudly serve patients across the greater Atlanta area at multiple locations:
When considering a lower back pain diagnosis, location and expertise matter. You can count on our skilled team to guide you every step of the way, from evaluation to diagnosis and beyond.
Relieve Lower Back Pain With Trusted Expertise at The Physicians
When pain becomes a daily struggle, getting the right diagnosis can change everything. A discography procedure offers the clarity needed to move forward with confidence. Our team is here to help.
Schedule your discography consultation today at The Physicians. We proudly offer advanced diagnostics and non-surgical lower back pain treatment across Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, Marietta, Calhoun, Rome, and Duluth.
