Spinal Injections

Intradiscal Injections

Medication delivered directly into the affected disc, identifying or treating disc-generated pain that has not responded to epidural injections.

Spinal

Procedure Overview

Disc-generated pain can be difficult to isolate. Epidural steroid injections work around the disc; they do not treat it directly. If your pain persists and the source remains unconfirmed, an intradiscal injection may provide both the diagnostic clarity and the therapeutic relief that other approaches have not.

Treatment Purpose

Intradiscal injections deliver medication directly into the intervertebral disc. Used diagnostically, provocation discography identifies which specific disc is generating pain by reproducing the patient's familiar pain pattern under controlled injection. Used therapeutically, corticosteroid or regenerative agents are injected to reduce intradiscal inflammation in cases that have not responded to epidural approaches.

Appropriate Conditions

Degenerative disc disease
Discogenic low back pain
Internal disc disruption
Axial back pain not adequately addressed by epidural steroid injections

Patient Considerations

The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic guidance with local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. Your physician controls the entire process. For therapeutic injections, the focus is on reducing inflammation, and most patients experience only mild temporary discomfort during the procedure. For diagnostic discography, some brief provoked pain is expected and is actually part of how the correct disc is identified.

Treatment Process

The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes and is performed with you lying face down under fluoroscopic guidance. A needle is carefully advanced into the target disc and medication is injected. You rest in recovery for 30 to 45 minutes before going home. The steroid component typically takes 2 to 7 days to reach peak effect, with the best results felt within 1 to 2 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon does the injection take effect?

The steroid component typically reaches peak effect within 2 to 7 days, with best results felt within 1 to 2 weeks.

Is the diagnostic injection painful?

Discography involves brief provoked disc pain to identify the correct level. Therapeutic injections use local anesthetic to minimize discomfort.

What are the side effects?

Temporary discomfort or mild flushing may occur. Discitis (disc infection) is rare but possible.

Medical disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace an evaluation by a qualified physician. Talk with a doctor about your specific condition and treatment options. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

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