Day of Procedure
Arrive at the UMC Outpatient Center at the designated time for your Arthrogram. You will sign in at the front desk to notify them of your arrival. Please bring no more than 2 visitors or family members with you for your procedure. There is very limited seating in the Outpatient lobby and we want your family members to be comfortable during their wait time while your procedure is being performed. If you are taking blood-thinning medication, you may be taken to the Outpatient Testing Department for necessary lab work prior to your procedure. Once completed, you and your family members/visitors will be escorted to the area where the procedure will be performed. At that time, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. Your clothes and valuables will then be given to your family member (or visitor) to keep while your procedure is being performed. You and your visitors will be given an expected time frame for how long the procedure will take. Please be sure and have a responsible adult remain at UMC throughout the entire length of the procedure.
Procedure
You will be taken to a private area where your medical history can be reviewed and consent signed. DO NOT BE ALARMED IF YOU ARE ASKED SIMILAR QUESTIONS by different staff on several occasions. This is used as a safety check before your procedure. The Radiologist will introduce himself and discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with you. The Technologist will then position you appropriately for your procedure.
Before the procedure
Before the procedure, the Radiologist and Radiologic Technologist will perform a “Time Out”. The “Time Out” consists of each team member agreeing on the following; CORRECT PATIENT, CORRECT PROCEDURE, CORRECT SURGICAL SITE, CORRECT PATIENT POSITION, and USING THE CORRECT EQUIPMENT. This “Time Out” is performed for your safety. The involved area will be prepped with Betadine soap. The Radiologist will then numb the joint space with Lidocaine so that you will not feel the needle placement. This may cause a stinging sensation for a few seconds until the numbness takes effect. The Radiologist will view your x-ray to determine the exact needle placement. Once the needle is in place, the Radiologist will inject contrast into the joint space and remove the needle. Additional x-rays may be performed if the Radiologist deems necessary. A bandaid may be placed over the puncture site. If your physician has ordered an MRI scan to follow your Arthrogram, you will be taken for that exam immediately following the procedure.
After the Procedure
You will be allowed to leave immediately following the procedure. The technologist will inform you of any special instructions and how to care for your puncture site.