An arthrogram is a test done to look inside a joint for injuries or other joint problems, or to put medicine inside a joint. Follow these instructions to care for your child after the arthrogram.

• Follow your health care provider's instructions for:
  • How long your child should rest the joint
  • Which activities are OK and which should be avoided
  • Whether it is OK for your child to bear weight on the joint
  • If your child should limit movement of the joint 
• If your child has pain and your health care provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Give exactly as directed on the package instructions.
• If it is comforting to your child, put a cool compress (such as a washcloth soaked in cool water) on the joint.
• Your child needs to wear the bandage only until the end of the day of the test. Then you can remove it and throw it away.
• After the bandage is off, your child may shower or bathe as usual.
• Follow your health care provider's instructions about when your child should return to school, sports, and other activities.
• Your child's joint may make sounds when moved for the next 24 to 48 hours. This is from the contrast or air injected into the joint for the test and is not a reason to worry.

Your child:

• Gets redness or swelling around the joint
• Gets a fever within 3 days of the arthrogram
• Has drainage or bleeding from where the needle went in that continues for more than 1 day
• Has pain that does not get better with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or that goes on for more than 2 days

How are arthrograms done? An arthrogram uses X-rays (or, less often, an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI) to take pictures inside a joint. Contrast (a type of dye) or air is injected into the joint or into a vein to help make the pictures clearer. After the arthrogram, doctors look at the pictures to get more information about the joint. Sometimes doctors do an arthrogram during surgery. The pictures can help them make treatment decisions during the surgery. 

When will we know the results of the arthrogram? Many pictures were taken inside the joint during the arthrogram. The radiologist and your provider will look at them carefully. When the test results are ready, your child's health care provider will share the results with you.