An arthrogram is used to check a joint to find out what is causing your symptoms or problem with your joint. An arthrogram may be more useful than a regular X-ray because it shows the surface of soft tissues lining the joint as well as the joint bones. A regular X-ray only shows the bones of the joint. This test can be done on your hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or jaw (temporomandibular joint).
An arthrogram is used to find the cause of symptoms in your joint. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, or abnormal movement of your joint. It may also be done to see if you can be helped with surgery, such as arthroscopy, Opens dialog.
An arthrogram can:
Find problems in your joint capsule, ligaments, or cartilage. Problems could include tears, arthritis, or disease. For example, this test may be used to help find problems such as rotator cuff, Opens dialog tears. It may find problems with the bones of the joint.
Are allergic to iodine. The dye used for this test may contain iodine.
Are or might be pregnant.
Have ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis, Opens dialog) from any substance. For instance, have you had a reaction from a bee sting or eating shellfish?
Are allergic to any medicines. This includes anesthetics.
Have asthma.
Have bleeding problems or take blood-thinning medicines.
Have arthritis that is bothering you at the time of your test.
Have a known infection in or around your joint. The dye may make your infection worse.
Have diabetes or take metformin (such as Glucophage) for your diabetes.
Have kidney problems.
Information about Arthrogram (Joint X-Ray)
The skin and tissues over the joint will be numbed with medicine.
The doctor will put a small needle into your joint. He or she may remove a sample of the joint fluid for testing.
Your doctor may use a fluoroscope, Opens dialog to guide the needle and take a series of X-ray pictures of the joint.
The doctor will inject a contrast material into your joint. This is usually dye, but it can also be saline, air, or a combination. It helps the doctor see the soft tissues of the joint. Then the doctor removes the needle.
You may be asked to be still. Or you may be asked to move your joint.
You may also have an MRI or a CT scan to get images of the joint.
You will feel a prick and sting when the anesthetic is given. You may feel tingling, pressure, pain, or fullness in your joint as the dye is put in.
The X-ray table may feel hard and the room may be cool.
You may have some mild pain, tenderness, and swelling in your joint after the test. Ice packs and nonprescription pain relievers, used as the package directs, may help you feel more comfortable. You may also hear a grating, clicking, or cracking sound when you move your joint. This is normal and goes away in about 24 hours. If you have ongoing pain, tenderness, or swelling of the joint, tell your doctor.
You can have a few problems from an arthrogram, such as:
Joint pain for more than 1 or 2 days.
An allergic reaction to the dye.
Damage to the structures inside your joint or bleeding in the joint. But this is very rare because the needle that is used is small.
Infection in the joint.
There is always a slight risk of damage to cells or tissue from being exposed to any radiation, including the low levels of radiation used for this test. But the risk of damage from the X-rays is usually very low compared with the potential benefits of the test.
The radiologist may discuss the initial results with you after he or she reviews all the pictures. A detailed report will be available to your doctor in a few days.
Arthrogram
Normal:
The joint capsule, the sac containing joint fluid, is normal. The cartilage and other structures of the joint are normal.
Abnormal:
The cartilage is worn down (degeneration) or there is a tear in the cartilage cushion of the joint.
There is a tear in the ligaments or tendons of the joint. The tear may be partial or complete. If a rotator cuff, Opens dialog tear in the shoulder is present, the dye leaks from the tear.
The joint capsule is enlarged or has ruptured. A joint cyst is present.
Abnormal material is present in the joint. This could be a tumor, extra growth of joint tissues, or pieces of bone or cartilage.
After your doctor has seen the condition of your joint area, he or she may recommend further treatment with medicine, physical therapy, or surgery.
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Clinical Review Board All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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