[The status of discography in determining indications for therapy of intervertebral disk-induced diseases]

During a 6-year period from 1983 to 1989 we performed lumbal discography in 403 disc levels on 144 patients. We used the discography to determine the therapeutic way in patients with chronic back pain. In the greater half it was possible to define the symptomatic level exactly. About 90% the discography was very helpful to get a diagnosis or to plan the therapy. The reproduction of pain with discography is helpful in the assessment of abnormal disc levels. Even today in view of CT and MRI.