Patient information leaflet Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Hip Arthrogram Radiology
You have been referred for a hip arthrogram. Your referring doctor has decided this is the best method to get diagnostic information on the cause of your hip pain or problem. If you have any concerns about the procedure, you should discuss these with your consultant prior to your appointment date. You will have an opportunity to ask the radiologist any other questions you may have before you sign the consent form A hip arthrogram is an examination to look at the hip joint after the injection of a contrast agent (x-ray dye) into the joint. Following the injection of the dye you will have a magnetic resonance scan (MRI). The dye is used because it can be seen on the x-ray images, and optimises the magnetic resonance images. This leaflet informs you about the procedure and explains what is involved and the possible risks. What preparation is required? No preparation is required before a hip arthrogram; you can eat and drink as normal. Women of child bearing age This examination is not advisable for pregnant women. Please advise the x-ray department in advance if you think you are, or might be pregnant. Can I bring a relative or a friend? Yes but for safety reasons, you will need to come into the x-ray room on your own. You should not drive home, so you will need to arrange for someone to collect you or make appropriate travel arrangements. The Radiology Department Radiology is also known as the X-Ray or Imaging Department. 2
Who will I meet? Receptionist/Clerical Staff: can help you make or change your imaging appointments and ensure your details are correct when you arrive for your appointment. Radiographer: Highly trained health care professionals who will assist the radiologist to carry out imaging procedures. Radiologist: a specialist doctor trained to inject x-ray dye and to take images during the examination. They will also interpret the images and report them for your consultant. What happens when I arrive? This part of the procedure will take about twenty minutes. You will not need to undress, but it would be a good idea to wear clothing that can easily be pulled clear of the hip area. Once in the privacy of the x-ray room the radiologist will discuss the procedure with you and ask you to sign a consent form. You will be asked to lie on the x-ray table and the hip area will be uncovered. Using a sterile technique, the skin will be cleaned and some local anaesthetic injected into your hip to numb the tissues. A fine needle will be inserted into the hip joint under x-ray guidance and a small amount of contrast agent will be injected into the joint. The needle is then removed, and the injection site covered with a plaster. You may then proceed to the MRI department for your scan. You will receive further written instruction about the scan from the MRI department. Will the procedure be painful? There will be a stinging sensation when the local anaesthetic is injected into the hip, but this will become numb very quickly. Are there any risks associated with this procedure? There is a very low risk of a hip infection. 3
As with all x-ray examinations, we endeavour to keep the exposure to radiation to the absolute minimum. What about after care? Please make arrangements for someone to drive you home after the scan as you may find the joint feels slightly unsteady for a few hours after the procedure. Is there an alternative procedure? MRI without the arthrogram. Privacy and dignity Sometimes tests or procedures, although necessary, can be embarrassing or undignified for patients but we will endeavour to do everything we can to make you as comfortable as possible during your visit to the department. Patient survey We value your opinion about the service we provide. Please help us to improve the service by answering the voluntary questionnaire at the end of your appointment letter. Questions & contacts Some of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but this is only a starting point for discussion about your procedure with the doctors looking after you. Make sure you are satisfied that you have received enough information about the procedure before you sign the consent form. If you have any questions or would like to know more about this procedure, please telephone the Interventional Suite Radiology Department on: 4
01483 571122 Extension 4596 Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible. For further information about Diagnostic Imaging Services at Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, please contact: Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Egerton Road, Park Barn, Guildford Surrey GU2 7XX www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk Reference source Royal College of Radiologists Other sources of information Useful websites For general information about radiology departments visit The Royal College of Radiologists website: www.goingfora.com NICE website (www.nice.org.uk) has further information about NICE interventional procedure guidance 5
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How to find the Radiology department Royal Surrey County Hospital map Level B (Ground floor) KEY 1 To clinics on next floor (above or below) ST LUKE S CANCER CENTRE 12 Lifts Stairs ENTRANCE ST LUKE S 1 14 Outpatients Education Centre 14 ENTRANCE WEST WING 13 Occupational Therapy Physiotherapy 11 9 10 8 7 6 4 Blood Tests WEST WING Neurophysiology & Clinical Measurement 15 16 4 3 5 Cardiac Tests Pharmacy 2 Bus Stop 1 Coffee Shop FRONT ENTRANCE EAST WING X-ray Radiology Reception A&E Data sharing reference information is available on Royal Surrey County Hospital patient information leaflet entitled: Your Healthcare records - your information PIN120703-562. 7
Cover image: www.photolibrary.nhs.uk Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH) NHS Foundation Trust fully subscribes to the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) Being Open best practice framework, November 2010. Contact details of independent advocacy services can be provided by our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) who are located in far left corner as you enter the main reception area. PALS are also your first point of contact for health related issues, questions or concerns surrounding RSCH patient services. Contact details Telephone: 01483 402757 Email: rsc-tr.pals@nhs.net Opening hours: 9.00am 4.00pm, Monday to Friday If you would like information documents in large print, on tape or in another language or form please contact us on: 01483 402757 Review date: January 2017 Author: J Patton (Interventional Superintendent PIN140311 962 The Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 2014