CT RIGHT ELBOW
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About The Test
Persistent elbow pain or limited movement can be worrying. A CT RIGHT ELBOW arthrography at Cadabams Diagnostics offers a fast, non-surgical way to look inside the joint, revealing cartilage tears, loose bodies, or ligament injuries with sub-millimetre accuracy. This article walks you through everything you need to know—what the scan is, who needs it, how to prepare, and what to expect—so you feel supported and confident every step of the way.
What is CT Elbow Arthrography?
CT elbow arthrography combines:
- Arthrogram: A harmless contrast dye injected into the elbow joint to outline soft tissues.
- CT RIGHT ELBOW scan: A rotating X-ray tube captures hundreds of cross-sectional images to produce a 3-D view.
Together, they give clinicians a crystal-clear map of cartilage, ligaments, and bone, pinpointing problems that standard X-rays or ultrasound may miss.
When and Who Needs to Take a CT Elbow Arthrography?
Consider scheduling the scan if you experience:
- Locking or clicking in the elbow
- Recurrent swelling after sports or heavy lifting
- Pain that worsens with overhead motion
- Suspected ligament tear or cartilage damage
Athletes, manual labourers, and anyone with prior elbow dislocations often benefit most.
List of Parameters
- Joint space width
- Cartilage thickness and defects
- Ligament integrity
- Presence of loose bodies or osteophytes
- Synovial enhancement pattern
- Bone density and trabecular architecture
Why This Test
- Evaluate sports injuries such as tennis elbow or UCL tear
- Assess chronic pain after fracture healing
- Plan minimally invasive surgery with precise 3-D mapping
- Monitor cartilage restoration procedures
When to Take Test
Benefits
Benefits of Taking the Test
- Quick: Scan time under 10 minutes
- Accurate: Detects lesions as small as 0.5 mm
- Low downtime: Resume normal activities within 24 hours
- Guided treatment: Helps surgeons decide if repair or physiotherapy is enough
Illnesses Diagnosed with CT Right Elbow Scan
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Synovial plicae syndrome
- Loose intra-articular bodies
- Posterolateral rotatory instability
- Chondral flap tears
Preparing for test
- Fasting: No food 2 hours before; clear fluids allowed
- Clothing: Wear loose sleeves or a short-sleeve top
- Medications: Continue routine meds; inform staff if on blood thinners
- Allergies: Report iodine or shellfish allergies in advance
Pre-requisites
- Recent X-ray or ultrasound report (within 3 months)
- Blood creatinine if over 60 years or diabetic
- Signed consent form after explanation of risks and benefits
Best Time to Take the CT Elbow Arthrography
- Early morning slots reduce waiting times
- Post-injury 2–4 weeks window—after acute swelling subsides but before chronic changes set in
- Avoid scheduling during active infection or severe skin lesions near the joint
Eligibility
Eligible:
- Adults and adolescents over 14 years
- Stable chronic conditions (e.g., controlled diabetes)
Not eligible: - Pregnancy (radiation risk)
- Active joint infection or open wound
- Severe contrast allergy history
Procedure for Taking a CT Elbow Arthrography
- Check-in at Cadabams Diagnostics reception—bring ID and prior reports
- Positioning: Lie on the CT table with the affected arm overhead or at the side, supported by cushions
- Skin prep: Antiseptic cleaning and local anaesthetic spray
- Injection: Radiologist inserts a thin needle into the joint under ultrasound guidance; contrast is injected (2–10 ml)
- Scan: You hold still while the gantry rotates around the elbow for ~5 minutes
- Observation: 15-minute post-procedure monitoring for any delayed reaction
Caution Before Taking the Test
- Hydrate well the day before to protect kidneys
- Avoid caffeine 4 hours prior—it can increase tremor and blur images
- Bring a companion if you feel anxious about injections
Test Results
Results and Interpretations
Condition/Findings | Description | Interpretation |
---|---|---|
Normal scan | No abnormalities detected | Healthy joint status; no cartilage or ligament damage | |
Mild inflammation | Slight tissue swelling or synovial enhancement | May indicate early irritation or minor injury; clinical follow-up recommended |
Partial-thickness cartilage tear (Grade 2) | Defect involving part of cartilage thickness | Confirmed cartilage damage requiring monitoring or treatment planning |
Full-thickness cartilage loss (Grade 3) | Cartilage worn through exposing bone surface | Advanced cartilage damage; may require surgical intervention |
Ligament tear or disruption | Discontinuity or abnormal signal in ligament | Confirms ligament injury; guides repair or rehabilitation decisions |
Loose intra-articular bodies | Small free fragments within joint space | Indicates joint irritation or degeneration; may cause mechanical symptoms |
Osteophytes or bone spurs | Abnormal bony projections seen | Sign of osteoarthritis; may contribute to pain or limited motion |
Risks & Limitations
Potential Risks
- Mild discomfort or bruising at injection site
- Rare allergic reaction to iodinated contrast (less than 1 in 1,000)
- Minimal radiation exposure—equivalent to ~3 months of natural background radiation
Limitations
- Metal implants or prosthetics can create artefacts
- Not ideal for patients with active infection in the joint
- Cannot detect microscopic nerve damage; MRI may be needed in such cases
Types of CT Elbow Arthrography
- Single-contrast study – iodine-based dye only
- Double-contrast study – air plus iodine dye for finer cartilage detail
- CT arthrography with digital subtraction – removes bone shadows to highlight soft tissue
Your Cadabams radiologist will select the type that best suits your symptoms and medical history.
FAQs
How long does the **CT RIGHT ELBOW** scan take?
Total appointment time is about 45 minutes; the actual scan lasts 5–10 minutes.
Will I feel pain during the injection?
Most patients feel only mild pressure; local anaesthetic keeps discomfort minimal.
Can I drive home after the test?
Yes, unless you received sedation (rare). Most people resume normal activities the same day.
Is the radiation safe?
The effective dose is well below thresholds linked to increased cancer risk; benefits outweigh risks in diagnostic settings.
How soon can I exercise?
Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous elbow motion for 24 hours to reduce soreness.