During an arthrogram, you can expect a detailed imaging procedure designed to evaluate the inside of a joint—most commonly the shoulder, hip, knee, wrist, or ankle. The exam typically begins with a brief consultation and a review of your medical history. After the skin around the joint is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic, a contrast material (a special dye) is injected into the joint space under the guidance of fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or CT. This contrast helps highlight the structures within the joint—such as cartilage, ligaments, and the joint capsule—so that any abnormalities can be clearly seen on the subsequent MRI or CT images. You may feel mild pressure or a sensation of fullness in the joint as the contrast is injected, but this usually passes quickly. The entire process generally takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and patients are typically able to resume normal activities shortly afterward, with only minor soreness that fades within a day or two.