Diagnostic imaging - Investigations and procedures

Diagnostic imaging

Many modalities of joint imaging and direct visualisation are used to diagnose and follow the course of musculoskeletal disorders and are often used in combination. The findings in individual conditions will be described later.

·        X-ray: Many musculoskeletal disorders have characteristic X-ray findings. In acute inflammatory and infectious disorders X-ray changes may be delayed. Comparison of X-ray changes over time is especially useful in monitoring disorders that have a degenerative course.

·        Ulrasound is of value in examining the joint and surrounding soft tissue. For example it may be useful in diagnosing the cause of a painful hip not amenable to palpation. It may be coupled with diagnostic aspiration or therapeutic joint injections.

·        Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is of increasing value in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders. It can demonstrate both bone and soft tissue disorders; in specialist centres dynamic MRI scanning can examine moving joints.

·        Radioisotope bone scan shows the level of bone vascularity and remodelling. It is of use in inflammatory and infectious conditions prior to X-ray changes, it is of great value in identifying malignant bone infiltration and sites of infection.