Musculoskeletal Imaging

Musculoskeletal imaging is a vital aspect of any diagnostic workup in orthopedic surgery. It provides crucial information regarding osseous anatomy, soft tissue integrity, as well as metabolic and infectious processes. Orthopedic surgeons must be familiar with the available imaging modalities as well as their respective diagnostic yield. Options range from plain radiographs to three-dimensional studies like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Understanding which imaging study is needed for a given pathology will lead to appropriate diagnosis of various pathologies. This chapter provides an overview of imaging in orthopedic surgery.