title: Imaging of the orthopaedic patient: implications for primary care.
abstract: Pain in the skeleton is the foundation on which this article is based. Patients with musculoskeletal pain are frequently seen in primary care. There are many diagnostic imaging studies available to aid the practitioner in formulating and confirming a working diagnosis. This article offers specific guidelines for ordering imaging studies for common orthopaedic problems. The authors take into consideration costs and reliability of tests with each recommendation. The trend in many cases is to order magnetic resonance imaging scans rather than traditional radiographs. The indications for the commonly requested studies are reviewed.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000451:nursing; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000592:standards*; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography