What Is A Lumbar Diskogram?
What are Intervertebral Disks? Intervertrebral disks are seen between the bony vertebrae of the spine. These soft discs cushion the vertebrae, hold them together, and control motion. They are located in the neck, upper back, and lower back. The discs in the low back are called lumbar discs.
Each disc has 2 parts. I liken it to a jelly donut. The inner part of the disc, analgous to the jelly, is called the Nucleus Pulposus. The outside portion of the disc is referred to as the anulus. The Anulus is the only part of the disc with nerve endings that are sensitive to pain.
What causes pain in an Intervertebral Disc? If a tear occurs in the disc, chemicals from the inside nucleus may leak out. This can inflame the nerve endings in the outer part of the disc, the anulus, and cause lower back pain. The protective covering of the spinal cord (called the dura) along with the nerve roots are also sensitive to the chemical irritants.
When involvement affects the nerve roots or dura in the low back, it causes lower back and leg pain. An untreated disc tear may cause a disc to bulge or herniate. A disc herniation is when the jelly of the donut, the nucleus, squeezes out of its covering. This can further inflame or compress the nerve roots (Pinched Nerve) and cause even more pain. This signifies that early diagnosis of tears in the disc is important.
How can I be sure my pain is disk related? If you are experiencing lower back or leg pain and it has not improved with treatment, you may have lumbar disk pain.
Common studies such as an MRI may show nerve root compression and disc bulging, but may not show disc tears all the time. Discography is the best way to diagnose torn discs.
What is a Diskography? Discography is a test that assists the doctor to find disc tears that can be the source of pain. During discography, a thin needle is inserted into the center of a disc. An x-ray contrast dye will be injected into the disc.
The pressure from the fluid helps identify whether or not the disc is painful. The dye will outline the disc tears. This is often done to several discs to find the specific disc or discs that are causing your pain. The picture shows multiple tears in the disc between L5 and S1. As you can visualize at the Lumbar 4-5 disk, the contrast dye is contained well.
What happens during a Discogram? A local anaesthetic will be utilized to numb the skin. The physician the inserts a needle directly into a disk. Fluoroscopy, a type of x-ray, must be used to ensure the safe and proper position of the needle. A dye will be injected to outline the tear. A discogram is a diagnostic test to see whether or not the disk is actually the source of one’s pain. It has no curative benefit.
It is important to describe any pain you feel to your doctor. During discography, a healthy disc will not cause your usual pain but a torn disc may. If you feel a different pain or soreness, be sure to explain that it hurts but it’s not your usual pain. This will help the doctor determine which disc may be responsible for your pain.
The physician will check multiple levels during a discogram in an effort to achieve a “control level” to compare to the affected level.
What occurs after a Diskogram? You will be monitored for a period after the procedure, then discharged. You will be prescribed a CT scan to obtain an image of your disks. You can usually return to work a day or two after the test.
You will have a follow up appointment with the doctor who ordered the study to discuss results and how to proceed with treatment.
Motorola Xoom Accessories Dura-Gel Case – Clear
|
|
WETONE MOIST CLEANING WIPES 40/TUB $3.82 Wet Ones Sensitive Skin hands and face wipes are extra gentle on skin. Hypoallergenic, non-drying and non-irritating. Made of Dura-Strong fabric that won’t break on you, even when cleaning the toughest messes. Enriched with soothing cucumber extract, conditioning chamomile and a moisturizing complex containing Aloe and Vitamin E. Non-sticky formula, fragrance and alcohol free. Wipe measures 5.7 in… |
|
|
DANGER CORROSIVES AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES AND SKIN (W/GRAPHIC) 10 x 14 Dura-Plastic Sign $22.46 Chemical & Hazardous Material Safety Signs. DANGER CORROSIVES AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES AND SKIN (W/GRAPHIC). 10″ x 14″ Dura-Plastic Sign… |
|
|
CAUTION HIGH INTENSITY ULTRAVIOLET ENERGY PROTECT YOUR EYES AND SKIN 10 x 14 Dura Fiberglass Sign $23.50 Radiation, Laser & Radio Frequency Safety Signs. CAUTION HIGH INTENSITY ULTRAVIOLET ENERGY PROTECT YOUR EYES AND SKIN. 10″ x 14″ Dura Fiberglass Sign… |
|
|
CAUTION WEAR FACE SHIELD BATTERIES MAY EXPLODE TURN OFF CHARGER TO CONNECT OR DISCONNECT BATTERY WASH ACID SPILLS IMMEDIATELY IF ACID GETS IN EYES OR ON SKIN – QUICKLY FLUSH WITH WATER FOR 10 MIN. 14 x 10 Dura Aluma-Lite Sign $25.22 Chemical & Hazardous Material Safety Signs. CAUTION WEAR FACE SHIELD BATTERIES MAY EXPLODE TURN OFF CHARGER TO CONNECT OR DISCONNECT BATTERY WASH ACID SPILLS IMMEDIATELY IF ACID GETS IN EYES OR ON SKIN – QUICKLY FLUSH WITH WATER FOR 10 MIN.. 14″ x 10″ Dura Aluma-Lite Sign… |
|
|
Duro-Med Polyfoam Wheelchair Cushion, Poly/Cotton Cover, Navy Duro-Med Polyfoam Wheelchair Cushions are made of polyurethane foam construction that help maintain soft, even support for maximum comfort. The cushions are available in a wide range of sizes to fit most wheelchairs.The size of the cushion is 3″ x 16″ x 18″. The navy poly/cotton cover is removable and washable…. |
|
|
Artemis Woman HEEL SMOOTHER pedicure appliance $8.75 Pedicure appliance.Removes dry, cracked calloused skinDoctor approved!Rotating DuraCrystal power tips.Thin Tip: Removes dry/dead skin around toes and cuticles. Round Tip: Removes dry/dead skin and smoothes calluses on heels. Battery operated – 2AA batteries required, not included. Safe, effective, and easy to use. No dangerous blades…. |
|
|
Duracell myGrid $121.41 With Duracell myGrid you can charge up to 4 devices at one time. Just place your myGrid enabled devices anywhere on myGrid’s surface and they start charging – It’s Charging Made Simple…. |
|
|
DURAGADGET CARBON Effect – Tough Dura_Gel Back Cover / Skin / Case For Apple iPad 2 & 2s / 3 (New Generation Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G) – Works With Genuine Apple iPad 2 Smart Cover $8.99 So you’ve bought a new iPad 2 / 2s / 3 and a funky Smart Cover to match – but have realised the Smart Cover offers no protection to any other part of your expensive iPad than the screen, leaving the back, sides and corners all vulnerable to scratches and other damage. DURAGADGET are proud to introduce the perfect companion to your Smart Cover – our tough TPU iPad 2 / 2s / 3back cover. Simply clipp… |
|
|
Protective Dura-Gel Silicone Laptop Keyboard Skin for Toshiba Portege , Satellite , Qosmio and More! * Includes Keyboard cleaning brush* Not Compatible for Laptops w/ 10 key $8.99 Protective Keyboard SkinThis extremely durable keyboard skin is a great investment. It protects your laptop keyboard from damage that could occur from daily activities. It is made out of a non-slip material that makes applying and removing the skin hassle-free. The non-slip dura-gel material doesn’t use any glue and perfectly grips your keyboard. It is 100% washable, so it can easily be cleaned a… |
|
|
Protective Dura-Gel Silicone Laptop Keyboard Skin for HP Pavilion , Envy , TouchSmart , Probook and More!** Includes USB Card Reader * Not Compatible for Laptops w/ 10 key $8.99 Protective Keyboard SkinThis extremely durable keyboard skin is a great investment. It protects your laptop keyboard from damage that could occur from daily activities. It is made out of a non-slip material that makes applying and removing the skin hassle-free. The non-slip dura-gel material doesn’t use any glue and perfectly grips your keyboard. It is 100% washable, so it can easily be cleaned a… |
