Discogram Post-Discectomy

I keep reading that a discogram is the "gold standard" for determining whether ADR is appropriate.

Does anyone know how a discogram works after a discectomy?

If you've seen my other posts, you know I recently had SED, which didn't work as intended, but became a discectomy at L5/S1. Dr. Yeung told me I have a limited time before additional surgery will be required. I still have some leg and lower back pain at times and depending on what position I'm in. I hope the pain doesn't increase, but want to be realistic.

So, I'm just thinking ahead...

My question is, how can a discogram check for disc pain if the disc can't hold any pressure? Or would different criteria be used at that level?

Also, here is a related question? I know that disc height is an indicator of ADR success, but how about some anecdotes regarding the success of ADR after a completely collapsed disc?

Thanks,

Tom

[Alastair]

Hi Tom,
if you look at my story you will see that my disc had been completely replaced by gas, rubbing bone on bone, very painful.

Having a diskectomy, they have taken part of your disk away which was probably putting pressure on your spinal cord. Obviously the surgeon can see the disc by becoming less, that probably ADR is your next move in the not too distant future.
Best,
Alastair

Hi Tom

Not sure if this is helpful but -

I had a discogram 3 months after failed decompression and abrasion surgery. I was concerned that the results would be skewed by the fact that the disc had recently been operated on. I was convinced the disc would inevitably be painful because of the surgery. This seemed common sense to me.

However I was assured by 2 surgeons (independently) that the surgery would not influence the discogram results and it certainly was a torture!

Although I should add that because I have not had the results for ADR that I was hoping for, I am still concerned that perhaps the surgeons were wrong and the disc was not after all the primary cause of pain.

Anyway best of luck

Vicky

[Dale S]

Hi Tom,

I had two discectomies 8 years apart and still had 2 seperate discograms to determine my pain generators. The second one, without anesthesia was more reliable.

Good Luck, Dale

[Jessica]

I did have a discogram after ADR. It was very painful, but not sure what that was good for.

My last discogram doctor refused to do a discogram on the ADR. High risk of infection and it makes no sense to him to test a disk that is no longer there.

I agree with the "no anesthesia" statement. My first discogram was a waste. I was too groggy and doped to communicate. My second one was perfect - no anesthesia.