IX. SPECIAL STUDIES
To assist us in selecting the most appropriate method of treatment, additional
studies may be required on an outpatient basis. For the studies noted
below, our office will gladly assist you with scheduling.
Aspiration & Arthrogram
Aspiration is desirable to obtain information about the presence or absence
of infection, particularly if you have had previous surgery. The radiologist
may be able to aspirate fluid directly from the hip joint, which will
provide valuable information. Final culture results are usually available
in 7 - 10 days. In general, these procedures are not very painful; local
anesthesia is utilized in the skin. On occasion, mild discomfort may be
associated with the study. Most often it is transitory and usually can
be relieved by medications. These tests have been most helpful in ruling
out or establishing the presence of infection, and in some cases, outlining
the areas of loosening.
Radionuclide Scans
If there is a concern about infection, you may be scheduled for an Indium-111
Radioisotope Scan. This requires removing some of your own blood
and labelling it with an isotopic material (Indium-111) which is then
re-injected. You will return one day later and the area of the joint will
be scanned. This procedure is sometimes used in combination with other
more routine types of scanning agents so as to evaluate patients with
infection or sepsis.
All of the isotopic agents are relatively innocuous. The amount of radiation
is generally not much more than a single x-ray exposure. Complications
have been minimal. Computerized scanning is sometimes combined with injection
of these agents to better define the changes in a three-dimensional way.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a special study that uses
a large magnetic field and radio waves to obtain images of the inside
of the body. This technique may be useful in evaluating the soft tissues
around the hip or detecting the early stages of osteonecrosis. It cannot
be used to evaluate the hip, if you already have a hip replacement.
CAT SCAN
CAT scan (computerized axial tomography) is a specialized
x-ray scan that can provide additional information about the anatomy of
the pelvis or thigh bones and the amount of bone stock available. It is
frequently necessary in such conditions as congenital dysplasia, Legg-Perthes
disease or osteonecrosis, or if a custom-type prosthesis may be needed.
BONE DENSITOMETRY
Your bone changes in quality and quantity with increasing age (osteoporosis)
and also in response to an implant. Bone densitometry is a new technique
which can more accurately quantitate these changes.
|