Up to 40% of patients with chronic low back pain have disc-related pain.
What is discogenic pain?
Discogenic pain is a type of back pain caused by degeneration of the intervertebral discs (degenerative disc disease). The discs act as cushions between the vertebrae and, with age or microtrauma, can become dehydrated, lose height, or develop small lesions. These changes can activate pain receptors in the lumbar region.
An MRI scan can show signs of disc degeneration, such as:
- Reduction of the disk’s water content
- Lowering the height of the disc
- Changes in the bone beneath the vertebrae, called Modic changes
How can discogenic pain be recognized?
- Pain localized in the central part of the lumbar region
- Worsening with prolonged sitting, bending forward, or lifting
How is it Diagnosed?
The diagnosis is based on:
- Medical history and specialist examination
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect signs of degeneration or Modic changes
- In some selected cases, diagnostic discography may be performed to confirm the discal origin of the pain.
What treatments are available?
The first approach is conservative and may include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Physical therapy
- Multidisciplinary rehabilitation
If the pain persists, minimally invasive treatments may be considered, although the effectiveness of many of these is still being studied.