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Provocative Discography

What is a Provocative Discography?

  • A Provocative Discography is a diagnostic procedure performed to determine the cause of your pain.
  • The discs in our spine, found between each vertebral bone, act as ‘shock absorbers and normally do not cause pain when you move.
  • However, when a disc is damaged, there is ingrowth of nerves and blood vessels into the centre of the disc, which can cause pain on movement.
  • A Provocative Discography involves injecting a small amount of dye and antibiotics into the suspected disc(s) that is causing your pain to confirm the diagnosis.
  • It is generally performed for those suffering low back pain.

What is involved in a Provocative Discography?

  • Your procedure will involve you being given intravenous sedation by an anaesthetist to help you relax during the procedure.
  • It is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in a hospital theatre or day procedure centre under specialised imaging guidance. This allows your doctor to safely place a needle where the dye will be injected.

Before your Procedure

  • Blood thinning products may be required to be stopped prior to the procedure. You will be advised when to stop taking these medications and re-start these medications by your doctor when the admission date is arranged.
  • You can still take all your other regular medications the morning of your procedure with a sip of water. Insulin dependent diabetics will most likely be at the beginning of the list. You will be required to bring your insulin with you and it may be administered to you following the procedure.
  • Hospital staff will call you the day before your procedure to advise you of your fasting and admission times.
  • You must NOT eat, drink, smoke or chew gum prior to your procedure.
  • You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure as you will not be able to drive for 24 hours after your procedure.

The advice above is intended as a guide and each patient should discuss specific instructions with their care team.