Discography

Discography (provocative disc testing) is a diagnostic procedure used to determine if one or more specific intervertebral discs are the source of a patient's back pain. During the procedure, contrast dye is injected into the center of each suspect disc under fluoroscopic guidance. If the injection reproduces the patient's typical pain pattern, the disc is identified as a pain source. This information helps guide treatment decisions and surgical planning. Discography is typically performed when other imaging studies have been inconclusive.