Specialized Radiology

By appointment only

Covered by the RAMQ

Specialized radiology includes procedures performed under radiological guidance, including therapeutic arthrography and facet joint injections. Depending on the procedure, the injection of a contrast agent may be necessary to precisely guide the intervention.

Therapeutic arthrography involves injecting medication, generally an anti-inflammatory combined with an anesthetic, directly into a joint to help relieve pain and inflammation.

Facet joint injections involve injecting medication, generally an anesthetic combined with an anti-inflammatory, into the facet joints of the spine. This procedure is intended to reduce pain and inflammation.

Appointment available at the following clinic:

Radiologie LaSalle

EXAMS

Totally covered by the RAMQDiagnostic arthrographyTherapeutic arthrographyDistensive arthrography of the shoulderCervical and lumbar facet joint block

DURATION OF THE EXAMINATION

The duration of specialized radiological examinations varies between 15 and 30 minutes.

EXAM TYPES AND COSTS

Digital specialized radiology:
Arthrography, facet joint injections and infiltrations:No fees, covered by the RAMQ.
5$ for each copy of report for your personal file
10$ for each copy of the images on CD for your personal file.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Pregnancy could be a contraindication for infiltration under fluoroscopy (X-ray). Infiltration could then be done under ultrasound guidance. If you are allergic to iodine you must notify the staff when making your appointments or the technologist. Often it will still be possible to perform the infiltration without the injection of iodine

Online

Making an appointment

By phone

LaSalle - 514 365-7766

Preparation

Exams with no preparation

Arthrography and infiltrations* : No preparation. If your have allergies, the iodine contrast can sometimes be replaced by air contrast.

Distensive arthrography of the shoulder *: No preparation, make sure to have an appointment with a physiotherapist in the following 24 to 48 hours to facilitate the physiotherapy exercises while the shoulder is less sensitive as a result of the injection of long-term anesthetic.

Facet blocks*, No preparation

The examination process

After your registration, the technologist fills a questionnaire with you about your health and possible allergies. Explanations concerning the exam are provided by the technologist or the radiologist. Therapeutic arthrography:The purpose of the exam is to relieve pain. Under local anesthesia, a contrast medium (x-ray opaque dye) is injected into the joint or the diseased area to ensure the correct position of the needle. Thereafter a mixture of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory (cortisone) is injected into the joint or the specific area. In the case of osteoarthritis and recurrent pain, an injection of a viscosupplementation, provided by the patient (eg. Synvisc, Durolane..) could be made into a joint. Distensive arthrography of the shoulder:The purpose of the exam is to give back the capsule (shell of the joint) its normal elasticity and mobility. Under local anesthesia, a contrast medium (X-ray opaque dye) is injected into the shoulder joint followed by injection of a mixture of anti-inflammatory (cortisone) and 10 cc of anesthetic in the joint to distend the capsule, reduce pain and decrease inflammation. It is important to perform physiotherapy exercises after your exam, unless otherwise directed by your doctor . Pre-MRI arthrography (arthro-MRI):This exam is designed to enhance magnetic resonance images. In a radiology room, under local anesthesia, a product (Gadolinium) which enhances magnetic resonance images is injected with an occasional contrast (dye opaque to X-rays). The examination continues in the MRI room. Facet block:This exam is designed to relieve recurrent pain in the spine. A mixture of anesthetic and cortisone is injected into the periphery of the facet joints located on either side of the spine.

Contact details and opening hours

LASALLE1500 rue Dollard, Bureau 101LaSalle, Quebec, H8N 1T5 Monday to Friday8h00 to 16h00

LACHINE2000, rue Notre-Dame, suite 102Lachine, Québec, H8S 2G4 Monday to Friday9h00 to 16h30

DELSON58, Boulevard Marie-VictorinDelson, Quebec, J5B 1A9 Monday to Thrusday8h00 à 20h0030 minutes break between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Friday8h00 à 16h0030 minutes break between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Saturday8h30 à 14h30

RADIOLOGIE METRO MONK2529, rue Allard, bureau 100Montréal, Québec, H4E 2L4 Monday to Friday9h00 to 16h30

ÎLE-DES-SOEURS4, Place du Commerce,Suite #401, Île-des-SoeursQuébec, H3E 1J4 Attention – New location!Please note that we have moved. Make sure to come to our new address