Arthrogram

What is an arthrogram?

• 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.
  
  
• 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). A CT scan and MRI are special x-ray machines that use a computer to take pictures of your joint. An MRI is the most common imaging test done for this procedure.

Why might I need an arthrogram?

Arthrograms are commonly done to find the cause of joint pain. Joint pain may be caused by tears in your ligaments, worn cartilage, and injured muscles. An arthrogram may also be done to help your caregiver decide if surgery is needed to fix your joint problem. After joint surgery, an arthrogram may be done to check how well your joint is healing. If you have a prosthesis (man-made joint), you may need an arthrogram to see if it is loose. 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.

What happens during an arthrogram?

• You will be asked to sit or lie down on an x-ray table. You may be given a shot of anesthesia medicine to numb the area around your joint. A long, thin needle will be 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.

What happens after an arthrogram?

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.

How do I care for myself at home after an arthrogram?

Your arthrogram procedure may cause you to have increased joint pain. Resting your joint and putting ice on it may help decrease your pain. Ask your caregiver for more information about how often to apply ice.

What are the risks of having an arthrogram?

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.

Where can I find support and more information?

Contact the following:

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease
  Information Clearinghouse
  National Institutes of Health
  1 AMS Circle
  Bethesda , MD 20892-3675
  Phone: 1- 301 - 495-4484
  Phone: 1- 877 - 226-4267
  Web Address: http://www.niams.nih.gov
  

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You have pain, redness, or swelling in the area where your injection was given.
  
  
• You have new numbness in the arm or leg that was x-rayed.
  
  
• You have a new rash on your skin.
  
  
• You feel weak or dizzy.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, medicine or care.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have sudden trouble breathing.
  
  
• You just had a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• Your skin becomes swollen, very itchy, or feels like it is burning.
  
  
• You have skin changes such as red or dark spots, or hardened, tight skin.
  
  
• You have raised yellow spots on the whites of your eyes.
  
  
• Your joints feel stiff, or you have trouble moving your arms, hands, legs, or feet.

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.

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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.

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