Lumbar Intradiscal Injection

What is a Lumbar Intradiscal Injection?

A Lumbar Intradiscal Injection is a minimally invasive pain management procedure in which medication is delivered directly into the center of a spinal disc in the lower back (the nucleus pulposus).
It is typically used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in patients with discogenic low back pain—pain originating from a damaged or degenerated intervertebral disc.

What are the benefits of a Lumbar Intradiscal Injection?

Directing the injection and medication to specific discs aids in:
Identifying the Source of Pain
– Can confirm whether a specific spinal disc is the actual cause of low back pain (diagnostic value).
Provides Targeted Pain Relief
– Delivers medication directly into the problematic disc rather than surrounding tissues.
– Reduces inflammation and calms irritated nerve fibers within the disc.
– May decrease the intensity and frequency of back pain episodes.
Improves Mobility and Function
– By reducing pain, patients may move more freely and return to normal daily activities.
– Helps patients participate more effectively in physical therapy and rehabilitation.

How does a Lumbar Intradiscal Injection work?

An Lumbar Intradiscal Injection works by delivering anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication directly into the disc—the nucleus pulposus—to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by disc inflammation.

How to prepare for a Lumbar Intradiscal Injection?

The first step to determine your eligibility to receive a Lumbar Intradiscal Injection is to perform a thorough physical examination and carefully consider your medical and family history.

– Medical Clearance (if needed)
If you have heart conditions, bleeding disorders, or infections, your provider may require clearance from your primary doctor or specialist.

What to expect after the procedure?

Lumbar Intradiscal Injection are usually performed in under 20 minutes with the patient’s ability to go home the same day after a short recovery period.

When evaluating the diagnostic testing with numbing medication, the expectation is to get temporary relief from pain that only lasts for a day or so. Once this injection is performed, we want you to engae in physical activity to test if it was helpful. This confirms that the disc is the source of pain.

When evaluating therapeutic testing with steroid medication, it can take 2 to 3 days for the steroids to take effect and provide longer term relief.