Joint fluoroscopy before arthrography: detection and evaluation of loose bodies.

Fluoroscopy before injection of contrast medium increased the usefulness and accuracy of arthrography in 14 of 22 patients with possible intra-articular loose bodies. Although loose bodies wedged between articular surfaces deep within the joint were immobile, a typical tumbling motion on fluoroscopy reliably identified most free-floating loose bodies. Fluoroscopy sometimes revealed abnormalities more clearly than the plain radiographs or arthrograms.