The Arthrogram

Before my arthrogram, I wanted to see what to expect. I read several blogs and comments to blogs and forums where people were basically crippled following the procedure. I was driving myself to and from and I started to freak out. Would I be able to get home? I worried for nothing because my procedure was very easy and pain-free.

If it is suspected that you have a labrum tear, your doctor may order an MRI post-arthrogram. This is a procedure where the radiologist will inject your hip with a contrast and watch a "live x-ray" to see if it leaks.

The MRI scheduler said i could wear yoga pants. However, the arthrogram doctor said I needed to be wearing gowns only. He performed a range of motion test on me. My lady bits were covered by a paper, and I am pretty sure I flashed a bunch of medical people who have seen it all before.

She then puts your leg in a slight traction and will numb the front part of your hip. She will wait a few minutes, and then she will inject a long needle into your hip joint in order to inject contrast. They told me that the needle didn't go in all the way and it wasn't much bigger than a strand of hair. My doctor said if there was any pain they would further numb the hip. I felt a sharp pain, and started to gasp, but by the time the doctor could ask if it was pain or pressure, it was gone. There was no residual pain.

The needle was in for some time -maybe 5 minutes. It felt funny- maybe pressure. When it was over, he put a band-aid over the injection site and said it should not be removed until the next morning.

I was then wheeled to the MRI. You are not allowed to walk because it may cause the contrast to leave the joint. The MRI is boring. When it was over I was wheeled back to a room to change into my clothes.

My hip felt fantastic. I was walking normally- I hadn't done that in a while. I met a friend for coffee and walked several blocks. I felt I could run and leap... And then the numbness started wearing off. I felt a pinching in the groin. Driving home was weird- the rotation of my knee made my hip hurt.

I felt achy for a few days, but I didn't even think about taking NSAIDs. I felt like the procedure didn't cause pain, but it alleviated it for a few hours and then slowly started returning. I was so used to the pain that feeling pain free for a few hours made me more aware of it.

Everybody is different, but I felt no pain due to the procedure. I drove 30 miles after. I walked about a half mile. I climbed stairs. I did take it easy for a few day and didn't work out as rigorously as I am accustomed to.