Conventional arthrography in simple terms is an X-ray, only here, the X-ray is conducted with a device called a fluoroscope and this procedure involves an injection of a contrast material that contains iodine.
X-rays are generally non-invasive imaging procedures that help doctors detect and treat various conditions. An X-ray exposes a particular part of your body to radiation in order to generate pictures of the internal organs. Fluoroscopy takes this a step forward and allows doctors to see your internal organs move. When the contrast material is injected in your joints it spreads through the lining of the joints and is highlighted in an arthrogram, thereby allowing your doctor/radiologist to evaluate the functioning of the organ/joint. Arthrogram, in particular is conducted to examine joint structures and their functioning.
A conventional arthrography will allow your doctor to examine the structure of your joints and detect any abnormalities or injuries that would need to be treated, either through a joint replacement or surgery. Arthrography is usually used to detect abnormalities in your hip, shoulder, ankle, wrist and knee. It is also ordered to identify the cause of unexplained discomfort or aches in the joint.
Since it is an X-ray it has no adverse after effects. Also, there is no residual radiation after the X-ray procedure.This procedure is especially useful when it comes to identifying ligament tears or lesions in the joints of the knee, elbow and wrists. It also detects rotator cuff tears and dislocated shoulders.
As such there are no grave side effects from this procedure. You are only at risk if you are allergic to the iodine contrast material injected. Even so, in case of an arthrography, the contrast material is injected into a joint and not a vein, so the risk of an allergic reaction is quite improbable.
In few rare cases, patients have experienced nausea after the examination. Lastly, there is the minor risk of complications from exposure to radiation. While this is almost negligible, it is advisable to not have this procedure if you are pregnant.
In any case, the accuracy of the diagnosis and the benefits of this test are far greater than minor probable complications.
In fact, in the last few years these procedures and the devices have been improved greatly to ensure that minimal radiation offer good quality images. Also, X-ray machines today have such tight control over radiation beams that there is hardly any scattered radiation to other parts of the body.
An arthrography is an accurate and effective method of diagnosing joint injuries and abnormalities. However, it can sometimes fail to detect partial tears, that too in the rotator cuff. Also, an arthrogram does not detect cartilage tears around the joint edges or bruising and/or injuries to adjacent bones or ligaments.
In such cases, conventional arthrography should preferably be followed up with an MRI for a more comprehensive evaluation.
Submitted by M H on April 1, 2010 at 01:53