Arthogram

People often mistakenly write arthogram instead of arthrogram. It is an x-ray which is taken of a person’s joints. The term arthrogram refers to x-rays which could consist of many kinds of joint x-rays since different areas of a person’s body might need to be examined more closely to study the joints. When doctors talk about an arthrogram, they usually mean that it would be not just one, but a series of joint x-rays that would be necessary, such that a clearer picture of the joint is possible. In most cases, this arthrogram would also necessitate the use of contrast material.

Reasons for Arthogram

The specific need for an arthrogram could be attributed to a number of reasons and the basic idea is to view the joint better. This is usually done if the joint either is suspected to be broken or if it actually has been broken. This would allow the health care practitioner to view the joint damage, assess the extent of the joint injury and decide on a course of treatment. There could also be other types of injuries that your joints are subject to, such as an injury to your hip, which may then require an arthrogram. There are plenty of joints in one’s body, such as the ankle joint, and many of these are easily injured, particularly when a person ages. There are many other conditions, such as tumors, or arthritis which would then also need periodic arthrograms to monitor the ailment. Such joint x-rays are usually more common amongst elderly persons, since they could be subject to a variety of conditions which might affect the joint, such as arthritis and other degenerative ailments.

Preparation for Arthogram

In most cases, an arthrogram would not require specific preparation such as fasting. For the purposes of the joint x-ray, you would be asked to remove any kind of jewelry or other articles such could interfere with the arthrogram. If you are pregnant, your health care practitioner would need to know in advance of the arthrogram.

Procedure to Conduct Arthogram

Since an arthrogram would require a series of x-rays, different positioning would be necessary before each joint x-ray. You would have help to get you into the positions such that your joint can be properly x-rayed from different angles. You might even have other kinds of technologies such as CT or MRI scans which could be used on your joint