Skeletal Injections Flashcards
Pain management exams
Using the guidance of fluoro, injections are made into areas of the body to provide temporary relief from pain
Pain management exams can be performed in almost every joint in the body, common areas include:
- hip
- shoulder
- knee
- spine
- elbow
- hand and fingers
Common indications for pain management
- bursitis (common in shoulders and hips)
- tendonitis, tendonosis, tenosynovitis
- arthritis
- various forms of back pain
Technologists role in pain management exams
- room set up
- sets up trays, required equipment, contrast and medication
- obtains patient consent
- pre and post pt evaluation and documentation
- operation of C-arm
- look up any previous studies related to procedure
True/false: it is best to have most recent imaging studies available with their reports
True
What’s included on a pain management consent form
- patient demographics
- type of procedure and performing physician
- general description of procedure and side effects
- checklist of medical history
- area for pt to sign, consenting to procedure
Other things the tech needs to check:
- LMP
- recent antibiotics (some will decrease effect of certain medications)
- blood thinners
- diabetes (some medications used can cause a blood sugar spike)
Medications used in pain management
Specific names/brands of medications vary between sites, but these 4 types are usually involved:
- Steroid
- Local anesthetic
- Pain relief
- Contrast
Local anesthetic
Used to freeze the skin prior to cortisone injection
Ex xylocaine
Steroid
Anti-inflammatory, reduces inflammation in the target joint over time, which reduces pain long term
Pain relief
- provides pain relief in the target joint post injection
- lasts a few hours
- ex Marcaine
Contrast
Used to confirm location of area to receive steroid or pain relief
Additional supplies for pain management injections
- basic injection tray (includes 3+ syringes, drapes, cleaning sponge)
- metal object (clamp) for the doctor to use with fluoro to confirm location of injection site
- marker to draw a dot on the pts skin to confirm location
- band-aid to use after procedure
- positioning sponges, pillows and blocks to position patient for specific procedure
- cleansing solution for the skin
- gauze
- juice (in case of fainting or dizziness)
- well stocked medications and contrast not past expiry date
- emergency drug box in case of allergic reaction
The radiologist in pain management injections
Each radiologist will have their own protocols including:
- glove size
- patient starting position
- injection approach
- what type of medication/contrast used and how much
The tech in pain management injections
- confirms pt ID, goes over questionnaire and obtains pt consent
- prepares room, tray, images for procedure
- maneuvers C-arm for radiologist
- saves images (pre and post injection) and sends to PACS
- documents patient condition (pre and post), number of images, fluoro time
- ensures pt comfort and safety
