Best Doctors in India for Discogram
Best Hospitals in India for Discogram
- City: Bengaluru, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta, Bengaluru was established in 2006.
- The hospital is a 276 bedded multi-specialty tertiary care facility.
- The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
- The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like trans-radial angioplasty, trans-abdominal cardiac surgery, and computerized TKR navigation surgery.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, cardiac surgery, orthopedics, neurology, neuro-surgery, GI, and Minimal Access Surgery (MAS).
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Malar was established in 1992 and was formerly known as Malar Hospital.
- The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
- The hospital is multi-specialty, tertiary care facility with 180 beds.
- The hospital offers comprehensive medical care in specialties such as cardiology, cardio-thoracic surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, nephrology, gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, pediatrics, and diabetes.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 1996, Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute is one of the top hospitals in the NCR region, as well as one of the top facilities in India for gastroenterology. The hospital is one of South Asia’s first institutes in medical and surgical treatment for diseases related to digestion.
- The hospital is equipped with state-of-the art facilities coupled with the latest equipment as well as renowned consultants from various parts of India as well as other parts of the world.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- State-of-the-art technology and devoted healthcare professionals have been brought together under one roof at Venkateshwar Hospital to provide genuine medical care. The hospital’s professionals work together as a team to deliver the best possible treatment to their patients, using the most sophisticated equipment and information technology.
- Venkateshwar Hospital’s mission is to attain global excellence in healthcare by employing evidence-based, ethical clinical practices and cutting-edge technology by a team of highly skilled experts.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi is known to provide the latest medical procedures with the latest technology in all of its units.
- The hospital has a team of reputed doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals that ensure that patients receive quality care at affordable costs.
- Staffed with a team of highly qualified doctors, dedicated nurses, and paramedical and non-medical staff, the hospital aims to lead in healthcare delivery, medical education, training, and research.
- As per the vision of the founder, the hospital also provides free treatment to the economically weaker sections of society.
- Sir Ganga Ram Hospital also provides training to young doctors under the Diplomate in National Board(DNB) program. The DNB program at the hospital was started in 1984 and it is known for currently running the maximum number of DNB specialties in the country. It also has the distinction of having the first bone bank in India.
- City: Kerala, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 2019, Apollo Adlux Hospital is the first Apollo Hospital in Kerala and the 73rd hospital owned by Apollo Group in India. With the state’s most advanced, comprehensive healthcare infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies, Apollo Adlux Hospital stands as an example of medical excellence in Kerala.
- With over 34 multi-specialty departments, the hospital believes in providing the best quality treatment to its patients at affordable rates, ensuring comfort at their difficult times.
- The 300-bed hospital is managed by a team of highly qualified and experienced experts who delivers exceptional hospitality to their patients and treats them with great compassion.
- With its affiliation with the Apollo Hospitals Group, the hospital aims in providing patients with top-notch healthcare services while also serving communities in Kerala.
- The hospital has good railway and road connections, and is conveniently close to Cochin International Airport.
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Situated near DLF Cyber City, Gurugram, Narayana Superspecialty Hospital is one of the top medical facilities in the Delhi NCR region, catering to the needs of the people. Known for its commitment to quality medical care and patient service, the hospital is a state-of-the-art facility with planned and well-equipped sections, which includes a spacious OPD area as well as comfortable patient rooms.
- It is the closest super-specialty hospital from Indira Gandhi International Airport towards Gurugram, and also the nearest super specialty hospital from DLF Cyber City. It is also close to major residential areas in Gurugram.
- It is part of the renowned Narayana Health Group. Established in 2000, by Dr. Devi Shetty, a renowned cardiac surgeon, it has grown to be one fo India’s leading healthcare groups.
- City: Noida, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital, Noida, stands as one of the oldest and most trusted healthcare institutions in the region, setting a benchmark for comprehensive medical care.
- As the second mega hub hospital in the Fortis Healthcare Group, Fortis Hospital, Noida, upholds a legacy of trust among more than 1.2 million patients. By integrating top-tier professionals with cutting-edge technology, the hospital delivers superior treatment across various medical disciplines.
- Specializing in advanced Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Kidney and Liver Transplant Programmes, Fortis Hospital, Noida has successfully performed over 1,500 transplants, solidifying its reputation as a leader in specialized medical interventions.
DISCOGRAM
Discogram, also known as a discography, is an interventional diagnostic imaging test. It can help determine whether a specific intervertebral disc is the cause of your back pain. Spinal discs are cushions between the bones of the spine. They are made up of cartilage and a jellylike substance. Their purpose is to act as shock absorbers between the bones in your spine.
Purpose
A discogram is generally not used for the initial evaluation of back pain. But your doctor may suggest it if you continue to experience back pain, despite conservative treatments such as physical therapy and medication.
Sometimes a discogram is also used before a spinal fusion surgery, as it can help identify which disks require removal. However, it is noteworthy that a discogram is not always accurate in pinpointing which disk is leading to back pain. Therefore, many doctors prefer other tests, such as CT scan and MRI for diagnosing disk problems and guiding treatment.
Preparation
Before the procedure, a blood test might be required to determine how well your kidneys are functioning and whether your blood clots normally. You will also need to inform your doctor about all the medications and supplements that you take. If you have an allergy to local anesthetic, general anesthesia, or to contrast materials, you should let him/her know about this as well.
Also, let your doctor know about any of your recent illnesses or any other medical conditions.
It is likely that you will be instructed not to consume any food or drink the midnight before the procedure. Your doctor will also let you know if it is okay to take any of your medications on the morning of the procedure.
You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
Procedure
First, you will need to change into a hospital gown. Then you will lie on a table, or on your side. After your skin is cleansed, your doctor will likely inject a numbing medicine to decrease the pain caused by the insertion of the discogram needle.
After this, your doctor will be using an imaging technique such as fluoroscopy, in order to watch the discogram needle enter the body. Fluoroscopy helps to allow more precise and safe placement of the needle into the center of the disk that needs to be examined. Then a contrast dye is injected into the disk, and then an X-ray or CT scan is taken to see if the dye spreads.
If the dye stays in the center of the disk, then the disk is normal. If it spreads outside the center of the disk, it indicates that your disk has undergone some wear-and-tear change. These changes may or may not be the cause of the pain.
In most cases, if the disk is the cause of your back pain, then you should feel pain during the injection, which is similar to the back pain that you normally experience daily. However, if the disk is normal, there is very little pain during the injection. You will also be asked to describe and rate your pain during the procedure.
After the procedure
After the procedure, you will be remaining in the room, for around 30-60 minutes so that you can be observed. After that, you are able to go home, but you will need someone to drive you.
It is not unusual to experience some pain at the injection site or in the lower back for several hours, after the procedure. You can apply an ice pack to the area for about 20 minutes, as this might help. You will also need to keep your back dry for 24 hours.
Within a week or two after the procedure, if you experience severe back pain or a fever, let your doctor know right away.
Results
Your doctor will review the images and the information that you provided regarding the pain you experienced during the procedure, and this will help to pinpoint the source of your back pain. This information will be used by your doctor, to guide your treatment or prepare for the surgery.
Generally, doctors don’t rely on the results of a discogram alone as sometimes a disk with wear-and-tear might not cause any pain. Also, pain responses during a discogram may also vary widely.
Generally, results of a discogram are combined with results of other tests, like an MRI or a CT scan and physical examination, when determining a treatment plan for back pain.
Risks
Though it is most generally safe, a few risks of complications are associated with a discogram, which includes:
- Infection
- Allergic reaction to the dye
- Worsening of chronic back pain
- Injury to nerves or blood vessels in and/or around the spine
- Headache