Information for Patients

"Does a Myelogram hurt?"

The local anaesthetic will sting for about 10 seconds. Sometimes the needle that is inserted into the spinal fluid touches a nerve. This does not hurt, but may cause an involuntary jump.

As the x-ray contrast is injected, you may experience a "heavy feeling" in the head and/or lower back. Sometimes, as the contrast is injected, your symptoms (for example pain in your leg) may be stirred up. This is because the x-ray contrast causes a temporary increase in the pressure in the spinal fluid, leading to increased pressure on the compressed nerve.