After a Discogram

I know this topic comes up pretty frequently but I can't see anything related to this specific issue so here goes...

I had a discogram on August 31st which led to a diagnosis of ddd in the l5/s1. The consultant injected steroids straight into the disc at the time. The pain increased after the discogram, then tailed off but has now gone back to the level it was at beforehand (sadly the steroids have worn off!). What's bothering me is the fact that it still looks like someone's parked an suv on my back! Can anyone give me some kind of indication of how long the tyre track bruising lasted on their back? It'd be nice to know whether this is normal because I'm worried about post surgery healing if this is unusual.

Many thanks

[Harrison]

Gillian,

Welcome to our community! And congrats on getting through the step in your diagnosis. I can't tell you how many people get stuck in this critical stage of assessment!

Any way, I must say that your tire track description confounds me. Is there a funny mark left behind (pun intended)? I didn't have any marks of any kind afterwards, which I believe to be normal. Perhaps a little bruising can happen, but anything more sounds unusual. But what do I know?! I am just a patient...

Believe me it took long enough to get there - I first sought medical help for my lower back in 1997 - 8 years later I had the discogram! Ironically I've just had an income protection insurance claim refused on the grounds that there's nothing physically wrong with me and that I need "constant reassurance" of that fact. I met the physio who wrote the report 2 days before I first met my new consultant and a mere 9 days before the discogram. Appeal here we come. Anyway, back to the subject at hand.

The bruise is chevron shaped - a bit like a tyre tread. It first appeared about a week after the discogram. It's weird because when I first get up in the morning it's pretty faint and it gets darker the more time I spend sitting. Walking and other activities don't seem to affect it much. I just assumed it was normal!

[spotty14]

It's been 5 years since I had my discogram but I don't remember any marks left on my back except possibly a few small scars from the needles but that went away in a few days. Were you awake during it and remember anything that would have left marks like that? I think that all I had was dye injected and remember being real sore afterwards.

I would contact you doctor about those marks on your back.

[luvmysibe]

According to information I received at my local surgical center there shouldn't be any outward signs or marks on your back. I don't want to alarm you, but I would urge you to contact your doctor regarding the mark and the change in coloration. Hope all is well!

I was definitely awake during it - I'm not going to forget that level of pain in a hurry! It only took about 5 mins and I wasn't aware of anything to cause the marks. I have one small scar from the needle which I would have expected but the bruising is a little worrying - maybe I overdid it afterwards. I have a habit of doing a bit too much because I'm so used to having to defend my activities to all the people who think I'm not trying to make myself better!

I've got to see my GP tomorrow so I'll mention it to her. Failing that, maybe I should mention it to the consultant again.

[Poncho]

The marks that you are describing are definitely unusual... Are you running any fevers? If there is a lot of bruising around the area - It makes me wonder about how thin you blood is. Did you stop taking anti-inflammatories atleast a couple days before your discogram?

[spotty14]

Poncho,
I wasn't told to stop taking the anti inflammatories before my discogram. Is that what's doctor's are requiring currently? Just wondering because eventually I'll need a repeat one and can't even imagine the level of pain without the medication even without having a discogram done.

I've not been running a fever although I had really bad night sweats for the first few days afterwards. I'm not sure whether my blood's thin - I know that runs in my family but I've never been told it's anything other than normal. I do tend to bruise easily though.

I wasn't told to stop taking anti-inflammatories. There wouldn't have been time to because I rang my consultant's secretary to make an appointment and was offered one the next day! I was given paracetamol then ibroprofen and then an injection (I don't know what it was) in hospital to ease the pain after the discogram so I don't think they were worried about that.

[Vivian]

I don't recall ever hearing of anyone with that type of bruising after a discogram. As far as the blood thinning and anit inflams go, there are a few that they will still let you take day of the procedure, like celebrex. I had a procedure (RF)done a few weeks ago where they did have a problem with my blood being too thin. They actually stopped the procedure because of it.But I was not left with any visible bruising on the skin. I would think they would have halted your procedure if that was a problem. But who knows, especially since we all seem to be different.

Vivian