| arthrogram
(ar'thro-gram) |
n. 1. a diagnostic study
of the joints within the body (i.e., shoulder, wrist, elbow,
knee). Contrast material is injected into the joint under fluoroscopic
guidance to visualize cartilage tears or ligament abnormalities.
May be used in conjunction with a CT or MRI to offer added
detail.
preparation
- Stop blood thinners 4-5 days in advance.
- Bring previous films.
- Patient will need a driver only if the exam
- was performed on the ankle.
side effects
None.
(therapeutic arthrogram: side effects of the steroid medications,
which affect only 5% of patients and disappear within 1-3
days, include facial flushing, insomnia, and occasional
low grade fever. Also, patients may experience tightness
in the joint for 24-48 hours; pain symptoms can be treated
with over-the-counter medications.)
|
| discogram (dis'ko-gram) |
| n. 1. a diagnostic examination
of the intervertebral discs. Often used as a pre-surgical guide
for spinal fusion candidates. MRI is normally conducted first
to evaluate for degenerative discs. These discs are injected
with contrast material to recreate the patient's symptoms. This
test is especially useful in spines with multi-level degeneration
to isolate symptomatic versus asymptomatic discs.
preparation
- Stop blood thinners 4-5 days in advance; stop pain medication
eight hours in advance.
- Nothing by mouth 6 hours prior to procedure.
- Bring previous films.
- Patient will need a driver.
side effects
Increased symptoms may occur for 2-3 days due to procedure. Prescription
medications may be given to relieve these symptoms.
|
| epidural steroid
injection (ep''idu'ral)(ste'roid)(in-jek'shun) |
n. 1. most commonly used
as the first therapeutic injection for management of symptoms
arising from spinal degeneration. The injection is designed
to decrease or eliminate inflammation and irritation around
the spine and exiting nerves.
preparation
- Stop blood thinners 4-5 days in advance; stop pain medication
8 hours in advance.
- Bring previous films.
- Patient will need a driver.
side effects
Side effects of the steroid medications, which affect only 5% of
patients and disappear within 1-3 days, include facial flushing,
insomnia, and occasional low grade fever, increased
blood sugar.
|
| facet joint/facet
nerve injection (fas'et)(joint)/(fas'et)(nerv) (in-jek'shun) |
n. 1. injection of steroids
to relieve inflammation due to degenerative facet joints. Irritated
cervical facets can often be the source of chronic neck pain
and headaches, whereas irritated lumbar facets are responsible
for general low back pain. On patients who derive significant
short-term benefit, radiofrequency rhizotomy may offer more
permanent relief.
preparation
- Stop blood thinners 4-5 days in advance; stop pain medication
8 hours in advance.
- Liquids and/or a light snack before the injection.
- Bring previous films.
- Patient will need a driver.
side effects
Side effects of the steroid medications, which affect only 5% of
patients and disappear within 1-3 days, include facial flushing,
insomnia, and occasional low grade fever, increased
blood sugar.
|
| myelogram (mi'e-lo-gram) |
n. 1. a diagnostic evaluation
of the spinal canal and the exiting nerve roots. After injection
of contrast media into the spine under fluoroscopic guidance,
images are captured denoting any abnormalities in anatomy.
A CT scan follows this injection where detailed cross-sectional
images are taken. Both sets of images compliment each other
for evaluation of the area of interest.
preparation
- Stop blood thinners, antidepressants, and tricyclics.
- Drink plenty of fluids (water and juices) starting 24
hours before the exam.
- Patient should bring previous films.
- Patient will need a driver.
restrictions
- Patients must stay horizontal with head elevated 30 degrees,
for 24 hours following the procedure in order to prevent
severe headaches; don't remain upright for more than ten
minutes at a time.
- Normal diet with plenty of fluids.
side effects
Headache.
|
| nerve root injection
(nerv)(root)(in-jek'shun) |
| n. 1. a therapeutic block of
a spinal nerve designed to diagnose radiating pain originating
from the spine. A lumbar nerve block isolates a nerve causing
leg pain and numbness. Long-term
relief indicates inflammation as the leading cause of the symptom.
Short-term relief usually indicates bony impingement which may
warrant surgical consideration.
preparation
- Stop blood thinners 4-5 days in advance; stop pain medication
8 hours in advance.
- Bring previous films.
- Patient will need a driver.
side effects
Side effects of the steroid medications, which affect only 5% of
patients and disappear within 1-3 days, include facial flushing,
insomnia, and occasional low grade fever, and an increase in
blood sugar.
|
| radiofrequency
(rf) rhizotomy (ra''de-o-fre'kwen-se)(ri-zot'o-me) |
n. 1. a therapeutic procedure
that may offers relief from spinal joint pain. Facet nerves
provide a communication path for pain signals to reach the
brain originating from the degenerative facet joint. Under
fluoroscopic guidance, a needle is placed adjacent to the facet
joint in contact with the facet nerve. After anesthetizing
the area, a radiofrequency generator heats the needle which
destroys the nerve. Substantial pain relief is often obtained.
preparation
- Stop blood thinners 4-5 days in advance; stop pain medication
eight hours in advance.
- Bring previous films.
- Patient will need a driver.
side effects
Increased symptoms may occur for 7-10 days due to procedure. Prescription
medications may be given to relieve these symptoms.
|
| sacroiliac (S.I.)
joint injection (sa'' kro-il'e-ak)(joint)(in-jek'shun) |
n. 1. obscure low back pain
and deep buttock pain can often times be diagnosed through
injection of the S.I. joint(s). Therapeutic injection of anti-inflammatory
steroid may reduce irritation caused by stress to the joint
following spinal surgery or injury.
preparation
- Stop blood thinners 4-5 days in advance; stop pain medication
eight hours in advance.
- Bring previous films.
- Patient will need a driver.
side effects
Side effects of the steroid medications, which affect only 5% of
patients and disappear within 1-3 days, include facial flushing,
insomnia, hiccups, and occasional low grade fever, and an increase
in blood sugar.
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