Arthrogram

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• An arthrogram is an x-ray procedure to look at one of your joints. Your joints are the places in your body where two bones meet. Your joints are surrounded by tissues such as muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Cartilage is the tough tissue that covers the ends of your bones and cushions your joints. Ligaments and tendons connect muscles and cartilage to your bones. An arthrogram is commonly done on knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, ankle, and wrist joints. You may need an arthrogram if you have joint pain, need joint surgery, or to check a prothesis (man-made joint).
  
  
• During an arthrogram, contrast dye is injected (shot) into your joint and an imaging test is done. Imaging tests include a fluoroscopy (special x-ray), computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI is the most common imaging test done for this procedure. Having this procedure may help you and your caregiver learn more about your joint problem. The procedure may also help you and your caregiver decide on the best treatment for your joint pain.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• You may have an allergic response to the medicines used during your procedure. You may have a burning feeling in your skin when the shot of anesthesia medicine is given. During or after your procedure you may feel weak and faint. The shot may create air bubbles that move into your blood vessels and cause problems breathing. You may have pain, redness, and swelling in the area where your shots were given. Your joint may also become swollen and painful. You may lose feeling in your arm or leg for a short time after the shot is given. Tissues such as muscles and tendons may be injured, and you may bleed. You may also get a skin or joint infection after your procedure. You may be at an increased risk for blood clots. The contrast dye may cause seizures (convulsions) or kidney damage.
  
  
• Without this procedure, your joint problem or pain may worsen. Your caregiver may have trouble deciding what kind of treatment would be best for you. Talk to your caregiver if your have questions or concerns about your condition, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your procedure:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• IV: An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
  
  
• Pre-op care: You may be asked to sit or lie on an x-ray table. Pillows may be placed under your joint that will be x-rayed for support. The area around your joint will be cleaned with a special soap.
  
  
• Local anesthesia: This is a shot of numbing medicine put into your skin in the area where your procedure will be done. You may still feel pressure or pushing during your procedure, but you should not feel pain.

During your procedure:

• After your joint area is numbed, a long, thin needle is put into your joint space. Your caregiver may use fluoroscopy to guide him when inserting the needle. Joint fluid may be removed, and a small amount of contrast dye is injected into your joint. The dye will help your caregiver see that he is in the right area. Once the needle is in the right area of your joint space, more dye will be injected. Medicine to help keep the dye in your joint space without spreading to other tissues may also be given.
  
  
• After the dye is given into your joint space, the needle is removed. You may be asked to move your joint around to help the dye coat your whole joint. Fluoroscopic x-rays may then be taken. If an MRI or CT scan will be done, you may be moved to another room. You will need to stay very still while the pictures are being taken of your joint.

After your procedure:

You will be taken to a room to rest after your procedure. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says you can. When caregivers see that you are not having any problems, you may be able to go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken back to your room.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Arthrogram (Inpatient Care)