An arthrogram is a medical procedure that uses contrast medium to produce images of a joint via X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans. It can be diagnostic or therapeutic, but carries risks for patients with allergies, pregnancy, or kidney disease.
An arthrogram is a medical procedure in which images of a joint are produced after it has been injected with a contrast medium, a substance that improves the visibility of the structures being examined. The images in an arthrogram can be produced via X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. An arthrogram is either diagnostic, with the purpose of determining the source of any joint disease or defect, or therapeutic, as a form of treatment for a known condition.
Ultrasound or fluoroscopy, an X-ray procedure, is used to inspect the joint before the arthrogram is done. The technician uses these methods to correctly position the needle within the joint to inject contrast medium, which can be gaseous, water-soluble, or both, depending on the type of images desired. The injection is usually done under local anesthesia.
Next, images are collected using fluoroscopy or CT or MRI scans. Fluoroscopy can produce images from different angles, while CT and MRI imaging allow you to collect a series of cross-sectional images. An arthrogram allows for inspection of the soft tissues of the joint, including the muscles, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and joint capsule, none of which would be visible on a plain x-ray. A therapeutic arthrogram is typically used for joint relaxation or cortisone injections for a damaged joint.
In general, an arthrogram carries the same risk as any X-ray or MRI procedure. Also, patients with allergy or sensitivity to the local anesthetic or contrast medium to be used should not undergo the procedure due to the risk of infection at the injection site. Other conditions that may make an arthrogram risky include pregnancy, any history of allergic reaction, asthma, arthritic pain at the time of the procedure, diabetes, or a known infection in the joint being examined. Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions before performing an arthrogram.
Patients with advanced kidney disease are also at risk of a life-threatening condition known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) when gadolinium is used as a contrast agent in an arthrogram. NSF causes large areas of hardened skin to develop and reduces mobility. It can also affect internal organs.
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