[Jimking]

My wife Suzy who has RSD has been told by her PM to undergo a arthrogram-MRI to be performed on both her ankles and right knee. Her left ankle is slightly swollen but her bottom right leg and ankle are worse. The procedure calls for numbing of these joints then dye injected directly into the joint using a needle. My wife's fear is invasiveness and a possible spread of her RSD. Has anyone experience this before, any side effects or spread of RSD? Thanks

jim

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by Jimking

My wife Suzy who has RSD has been told by her PM to undergo a arthrogram-MRI to be performed on both her ankles and right knee. Her left ankle is slightly swollen but her bottom right leg and ankle are worse. The procedure calls for numbing of these joints then dye injected directly into the joint using a needle. My wife's fear is invasiveness and a possible spread of her RSD. Has anyone experience this before, any side effects or spread of RSD? Thanks

jim

I have had 3 arthrograms, 2 before CRPS and 1 after. No delitorious effects but doesn't mean it couldn't happen. It's one of those risks vs. benefits things. Good luck!

[Dew58]

I had to have an arthrogram in my right knee shortly after the 2nd injury to it at work( RSD present in right knee but ignored).

First, an MRI taken before dye injected.
(This showed that my initial injury was messed up and the new injury tearing into old injury,also..should have been enough proof)

Next, dye injected.( Doc had to inject me twice;injected into the fat pad of my knee..OMG!)

Last, another MRI taken.( in pain from the injection..hard to hold still for that MRI)

There was no numbing done..the knee was inflamed and it was a very painful experience. The injection doc and his asst., kept apologizing to me... I would not endure it again.

This was my experience..maybe your wife would have a better one. I sure hope so...

[ali12]

I personally haven't had an Arthogram (I just had the regular MRI without dye) but I know for me, all of the procedures I have had done to my RSD leg haven't helped and have made me quite a lot worse.

I had a nerve block and was put in a wheelchair for 13 months and then had an ingrown toenail removed and developed myoclonic spasms/jerks from it.

My Doctor has told me to stay away from any procedures to my RSD leg as it is pretty obvious given my past experience that it will only make things worse.

Everyone reacts differently though and hopefully your wife will be fine. Just do some research into the arthogram and make sure the doctor that injects to dye knows about RSD.

Take care and I wish your wife the best of luck. Let us know how it goes when you can!!

Alison.

[Jimking]

Thanks everyone for the response! Very true Ali, tell them you have RSD. In the past we've encountered several docs who've stated they are familier with RSD and turns out they were clueless. But, Suzy will ask and they are going to numb her legs first, thank god.
Dew, I can't believe they did nothing for you at all when they performed the procedure. If I'm not mistaking they even mentioned to my wife they could put her under if she wished.

[daniella]

What is this procedure to dx? I know not everyone can get another opinion due to finance issues but if it is possible can you? For me I can't imagine having something injected into my rsd area regardless of what they gave me cause I have delayed pain so the flare up would last way beyond for me the actual procedure or even time after. I know everyone is different and some things are a must but I know I have been suggested things like at one time cutting into my ankle which is a huge NO so I am very cautious. Sending thoughts

[Dew58]

During this time, my RSD had NOT been officially diagnosed. I kept complaining about the horrible burning pain..no one listened to me. So, I went through the procedure without regard by medical professionals as an RSD patient.

When I was in ortho doc's office,after 2nd injury to right knee(WC), I heard Arthrogram, and doc NEVER explained to me what was going to happen to me at that time(I went straight to the arthrogram appt. at the hospital, from his office).

This ortho doc had performed 5 Rooster Comb injections in my right knee joint...which almost killed me, emotionally by the pain I was subjected to, with each procedure.
A Rooster Comb injection is filled with a thick liquid that is injected directly into the knee joint. It is suppose to be a synthetic knee cartilage. It did nothing for the burning pain. I must say that I was given a burst of frozen air from a can, to my knee joint area and then the injection was completed. The frozen air left burn marks on my knee, and it really didn't help with the pain from the injection. It is suppose to place the patient's mind on other stimuli while the injection is completed...yeah,right!

This ortho doc KNEW I would be saying "NOWAY You GOING to STICK ME in that KNEE Joint!"
It wasn't until I was at the hospital, and I was told that I would need someone there for me to drive me home after this procedure.
I ask if I was going under for this thing and they said NO..you will prob. not feel up to driving when it is completed
It was at that time when I was in the hospital gown that I was told WHAT they were going to do to me.
It is no wonder that I now have an anxiety/panic disorder.

I hope your wife is placed under for this procedure. The reason it is done is to SEE if there is an injury. Your wife will have a simple MRI before she has the arthrogram. After the arthrogram, she will have another MRI, to compare the differences.

My 1st MRI before the Arthrogram showed everything concerning the injury I had sustained..the arthrogram, itself..was not needed to prove that there was an injury, in my case.

I will keep you and your wife in my thoughts and prayers.

I don't mean to scare you, that is not my intention for sharing this information about my experience.
I want you to know what I experienced so that you can KNOW what to expect, and not be blindsided as I was via the Arthrogram.

Dew

[SandyRI]

Dew -

I am so sorry. How awful for you. What was the point? How dare they do that to you? I often feel the same way about my 2nd shoulder surgery - why did I ever let the surgeon go back in there? I could have easily lived without full ROM with my arm forever, I only work a desk job.

Unfortunately for us, I am coming to the conclusion that ethics in medicine and insurance companies do not mix. Your doctors and mine knew that WC would pay them for the procedures they wanted to perform, at top dollar, so they went ahead and did them, even though it would have been better for us if they hadn't been done.

Take care, and try not to think about it, Sandy

[Jimking]

Well, my wife had her right ankle MRI'ed tuesday and seemed to go ok. They did numb it and then injected the dye. What is strange is her swelling went down that afternoon. However, yesterday morning was very bad, she was in alot of pain and the swelling returned. But this morning she seemed much better, up and about. She was scheduled to have her right knee and left ankle done in consecutive days but I advised her to cancel and reschedule each joint in consecutive weeks instead.