Are Discograms a Good Basis for Surgery?

Mar. 2020

Mustafa-Green v. Birchwood Rehab Ctr. – LIRC

Decided September 30, 2019.

Facts: Applicant alleged a low back injury and claimed a subsequent fusion was due to a work-related injury. She had three low back MRIs done prior to the surgery, and each showed a normal low back. Applicant’s doctor recommended surgery based on discogram findings, not the MRIs.

Decision: The three MRIs done prior to surgery showed no objective evidence for the alleged pain or claimed fusion surgery. Discograms are problematic when used as the sole source of diagnosing low back injuries or pain. Therefore, LIRC denied compensability based on the MRI findings.