Adult

MRI Arthrograms

Diagnostic Radiology (Outpatient)

Welcome:
We would like to welcome you to OSF St Joseph Medical Center Diagnostic Radiology
Department. You have been scheduled to have an MRI Arthrogram. This is a diagnostic
test using fluoroscopy (a form of x-ray).
The information contained in this pamphlet will help you understand the test that has
been scheduled.
When to Come, Where to Park, and Where to Go:
Please arrive 30 minutes before the time of your scheduled test. Check in through the
admitting department located in the front lobby of the hospital. Admitting will then
direct you to the Radiology department.
What to Bring with You:
You may have had x-rays at a facility other than OSF St Joseph Medical Center. Please
bring copies of the films with you the day of the test. You may also request that the
doctor’s office send the films or results to us at the hospital before the test.
Prep:
None
Jewelry:
Please remove all jewelry from your neck, chest, and belly before your test.
PREGNANCY TESTING POLICY
It is the policy of OSF St Joseph Medical Center to conduct pregnancy tests on all female
patients having a CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Angiography, or X-ray exams over the
uterine area. This policy is to avoid potential harm to an unborn baby as a result of the
radiation or medications given during the exam.
A pregnancy test is required prior to the procedures listed above and should be ordered
by your physician if you are a female between the ages of 10 and 55 and if you have not
had a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy.
If you know that you are pregnant please notify your physician.
Medications:
You may take medications with 2 to 3 sips of water, except for blood thinners, Plavix,
and Aspirin. You should stop taking Coumadin and Plavix 5 days prior to your
exam. You should stop taking Aspirin 3 days prior to your exam. You should stop
any Antidepressants and Antipsychotic medications 2 days prior to your exam and 1
day after the exams. You should stop any muscle relaxers 2 days prior to your exam
and 1 day after the exam. If you take Glucophage (Metformin) or Glucovance
(combination of Glyburide and Metformin) you must stop these the day of the exam
and hold for 2 days after the exam.

‘All medication must be approved by your physician before you discontinue
Allergies:
You may receive contrast as part of the test. Contrast is something given to let a part of
the body is seen on an X-ray. The contrast in this test is called Isovue and Prohance. If
you have any known allergies to iodine or X-ray contrast, please contact your ordering
doctor. You may need to take special medications before having this test.
Test Instructions:
The test will be explained to you by a registered x-ray technologist. You will be asked to
sign a consent form before the test starts. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown for
the test. A registered x-ray technologist will assist a Radiologist with your test. The test
will take approximately 30-60 minutes. You will lie on an x-ray table under an x-ray
tower.
A radiologist or x-ray technologist will clean the area with a sterile antiseptic. If
necessary, the area may be also shaved. The radiologist will localize the area with a
numbing agent called xylocaine. The radiologist will then put a spinal needle into the
joint and inject contrast. Contrast allows your joint to be seen on x-ray. After the
contrast is put into the joint, the needle is removed.
The radiologist will then take x-ray of the joint with help from the x-ray technologist.
The x-ray technologist will then direct you to the MRI Department.

Post Procedure Instructions:
None.
You may have tenderness and stiffness in the joint. This should only last about 24 hours.
Test Results:
Your test will be read by a Radiologist (doctor specializing in medical imaging). Results
will be available to your physician’s office within 24 hours BUT may take some time for
your physician to review your results. You can make plans with your ordering doctor on
how to receive your test results (such as follow-up doctor appointment, calling the
doctor’s office, ect.).

Source: http://www.osfstjoseph.org/services/diagnostics/pdf/arthrogram-MRI.pdf