Computed tomography of joints (CT joints) is the most modern and fastest method of studying this part of the human body. This diagnostic method is used at the Yusupov Hospital to determine or exclude destructive, tumor and inflammatory processes in the joints. The modern tomograph of the new generation, which the clinic is equipped with, allows you to quickly obtain the clearest images, which are interpreted in detail by experienced, highly qualified specialists.
Compared to conventional radiography, CT of the joints provides more accurate information, so computed tomography is one of the most informative diagnostic methods.
Is CT scanning of joints dangerous?
CT scans of joints are based on X-rays. For many patients, this fact is the basis for worries about the possible harm to health that an x-ray can cause. However, these fears are absolutely unjustified, since the radiation exposure provided by modern equipment and software and hardware systems is biologically determined and is considered very low. Computed tomography does not harm human health; it can even be performed several times throughout the year.
Installation of medical equipment and commissioning works
Carrying out installation and commissioning work of newly delivered medical equipment before the start of operation is the responsibility of the supplier. But you need to take into account that these works are subject to licensing. If the supplier of your device does not have such a license, then he is obliged to enter into an agreement with a company that has the right to install and commission new equipment. has been on the market for many years, has the right to carry out this type of work and has all the necessary licenses.
When installing equipment, the following factors are taken into account:
- property location;
- design features that may ultimately affect the operation of the equipment;
- specialization of the medical institution;
- regulations requirements for putting equipment into operation.
Attention!
A medical clinic must have an employee whose responsibilities include interaction with equipment suppliers and service departments, including signing documents on the acceptance of goods and the direct organization of all stages of acceptance of new equipment.
How to prepare for a CT scan of the joints?
Due to the fact that computed tomography of the joints is performed without the use of a contrast agent, the patient does not require any special preparation.
The radiologist may need the following documents that the patient needs to take with him:
- referral from the attending physician;
- outpatient card or extract from medical history;
- results of previous studies with images and descriptions (both CT and others);
- other documents that relate to the subject’s disease.
Medical staff training
Training of medical staff of institutions that will directly use the equipment in their work is one of the important stages of commissioning medical equipment, be it a tomograph, ultrasound machine or something smaller, according to GOST 12.0.004-2015 “Organization of occupational safety training.” A detailed briefing is required, the fact of which is recorded in the contract for work on commissioning the equipment. However, one should not be confused that the equipment supplier provides instructions, and the actual training is carried out by companies that have a license for this. After instructions and training have been completed by the personnel regarding the technical use of the equipment, you can sign the act of putting the device into operation. From this moment the warranty period of the new equipment begins.
What does the user get when contacting?
The undoubted benefits of cooperation with us are positively assessed by all medical institutions; each client receives:
- assembly, installation and commissioning work by experienced qualified engineers;
- quality of work ensuring reliable, uninterrupted and accurate operation of medical equipment;
- full compliance with the requirements of the regulations when installing equipment;
- full reporting and preparation of documentation and necessary regulations on the work done;
- competent instruction and training of medical personnel in handling the installed equipment;
- the possibility of concluding a contract for the maintenance of your equipment by our service engineers.
How is a joint CT scan performed?
To conduct the study, the patient enters the equipment room, takes off clothes that may interfere with the procedure, metal jewelry, glasses, watches, leaves unnecessary items there, and a mobile phone. After this, it is placed on a mobile table.
During a computed tomography scan, the tomograph ring rotates around the table on which the person being examined lies. One of the conditions for obtaining high-quality images is complete immobility of the patient, for which special belts can be used.
The duration of the procedure is, on average, about five minutes. As a rule, it takes experienced specialists at the Yusupov Hospital no more than one hour to draw up a conclusion. No preliminary preparation is required.
CT of the joints is an absolutely safe procedure, with virtually no contraindications, except for those standard for any tomography.
Computed tomography of joints is not recommended:
- children under 14 years of age (except in cases of emergency);
- pregnant women (due to possible negative effects on the fetus);
- patients with excessive body weight - more than 150-160 kg (due to the limited size of the tomograph).
The advantages of the technique itself
- without pain;
- accurate information;
- diagnosis of patients with implanted metal structures and devices;
- quick diagnosis, which is very important especially in urgent cases;
- a small number of contraindications.
The hip joint is one of the largest in humans, which bears the maximum load and frequent trauma. Injuries and impaired blood flow most often play a role in the development of pathologies in the joint.
Especially for overweight people. Therefore, you should not ignore any changes and unpleasant symptoms, such as:
- pain and swelling;
- violation of movement in the joints;
- muscle tension;
- redness of the skin, as with hyperemia.
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Indications for CT scan of the shoulder joints
A CT scan of the shoulder joints may be prescribed to patients to identify the following diseases and conditions:
- shoulder dislocation;
- fractures of the scapula or humerus;
- arthritis and arthrosis;
- neoplasms of bones or cartilage;
- humeroscapular periarthritis;
- shoulder pain;
- osteochondropathy;
- changes in the shoulder joint.
In addition, computed tomography of the shoulder joints is used before surgery and to clarify the results of radiography.
Indications for CT scan of the hip joint
CT scan of the hip joint is necessary for the following pathologies:
- arthritis of any etiology (infectious, traumatic, rheumatic);
- destructive changes in the joint (due to tuberculosis, sepsis, tumor, etc.);
- tumors in cartilage, synovial capsule or surrounding tissues;
- deforming osteoarthritis;
- osteochondropathy of the hip joint;
- accumulation of pus, blood, inflammatory fluid in the hip joint;
- fractures of the pelvic bones or femur, incl. intra-articular, etc.
Indications for CT scan of the ankle joint
CT scanning of the ankle joint is part of a comprehensive diagnosis of the following diseases:
- various ankle injuries;
- degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the ankle joint;
- inflammatory diseases of the ankle;
- joint dislocation;
- infectious diseases of the joint (osteomyelitis);
- benign and malignant tumors of the ankle joint, soft tissues, bones.
Computed tomography of the joints also allows you to verify the diagnosis if other research methods do not allow this. In addition, CT scans of joints are used in preparation for surgical treatment and to monitor the results of surgery.
Preparing the premises before putting equipment into operation
The room for equipment in a medical institution must be prepared and comply with building codes and regulations: provide sufficient ventilation and air conditioning for the equipment in use, the presence of a water source and drainage system, as well as additional grounding, uninterruptible power supplies, etc. It is necessary to focus on the requirements of the manufacturer of the purchased medical equipment for the premises, the standards of sanitary and hygienic requirements necessary for operation. If it is necessary to re-equip the premises, you need to worry about coordinating the design of the converted premises with the relevant authorities. At this stage, the Balt Medical service department supervises the preparation of the room for putting the device into operation.
Attention!
All preparatory and repair work for the preparation and re-equipment of the premises must be carried out before the start of operation of the medical equipment, otherwise the equipment may lose part of the warranty period!
Indications for CT scan of knee joints
CT scan of joints is prescribed for the following purposes:
- determination of the bone structure of the proximal tibia, distal femur and patella;
- obtaining information about the structure of the soft tissues of the joint;
- assessment of the integrity of bone and other structures in case of injury;
- identification of various patella and knee fractures;
- diagnosis of Baker's cyst, Osgood-Schlatter disease;
- assessment of the anatomical features of the knee joint when planning surgical intervention;
- assessment of surgical results.
MRI or CT of joints: which is better?
Several methods are used to diagnose joint diseases at the Yusupov Hospital: ultrasound, X-ray, magnetic resonance and computed tomography. The most modern and informative of them are MRI and CT. When prescribing one or another diagnostic method, the attending physician takes into account the task of examining the joints and the individual characteristics of each patient.
For example, magnetic resonance imaging is not used for patients who have various implants, pacemakers, pins, etc. installed in their bodies, when the above factors are not contraindications for computed tomography.
Bruises and various injuries, as a rule, require the use of MRI, since such injuries damage soft tissues, the visualization of which is better provided by magnetic resonance imaging. For diseases affecting bone structures (various fractures, tumors, osteomyelitis, etc.), the optimal diagnostic method is computed tomography.
You can get a CT scan of joints in Moscow at an affordable price in one of the most modern multidisciplinary medical centers - the Yusupov Hospital. Experienced, highly qualified clinic specialists conduct research using the latest spiral computed tomograph, which guarantees the most accurate results. Thanks to the high information content of CT, doctors select an effective treatment regimen individually for each patient.
Acceptance of new equipment by the clinic
When accepting goods, when the equipment is delivered directly to the end user, for various reasons it may happen that the equipment in the supplied form does not fit into the door openings and this will require partially dismantling the device. Under no circumstances should you do this yourself without some confirmation. It could be another similar problem. Service engineers will help you accept oversized goods, document the need to disassemble this or that element, without in any way violating the warranty terms. It is necessary to understand that after signing the transfer acceptance certificate, only the medical institution is responsible for the technical condition of the equipment.