Arthrograpy is defined as the procedure which involves multiple x rays of the particular joint by using a fluoroscope. This is a piece of the x-ray equipment which shows the immediate x-ray image. The contrast medium is injected into the person’s joint area and this helps to highlight the different structures of that joint. Quite often, arthrography is ordered to chiefly help in the determination of the cause of any unexplained joint pain. This particular fluoroscopic procedure is used to show the internal workings of any specific joint and also to outline the soft tissue like structures. The procedure can also be conducted while identifying problems with a person’s ligaments, tendons, cartilage, or the joint capsule of the person’s hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, wrist, or any other joints. The arthrography procedure can also help to locate the cysts in one’s joint area. Besides it also is conducted to evaluate any problems with a person’s joint arrangement and their function.
It can help to indicate the requirement for a joint replacement, or even to show any problems with an existing joint replacement called a prostheses. The joints which are the most often studied are the knee and the shoulder joint. The arthrography procedure can be also referred to as the joint radiography or the x rays of the joint. Firstly, the affected joint area is cleaned and then a local anesthesia is injected into those particular tissues which are around the person’s joint to help reduce the pain. Next, if the fluids are there in a person’s joint, then the physician can try to suction them out with the help of a needle. These fluids that are aspirated may be sent on to the medical laboratory for some further study. Contrast agents may then be injected into the person’s joint using the same existing location by attaching an aspirating needle to the syringe that contains the other contrast medium. The main purpose of the contrast agents in the x-ray procedures is to basically help to highlight the details of areas which are under study by first making them opaque. Agents for an arthrography procedure are usually air- and water-type soluble dyes, and the most often contain iodine.
It is vital to discuss with the doctor any known sensitivity that the person may have to local anesthetics or the iodine prior to the procedure. A physician should explain the entire procedure and all its accompanying risks that are linked with these contrast agents and also should request the patient to sign an informed consent.
Submitted by N S on March 8, 2010 at 10:49