title: Choosing the right diagnostic imaging modality in musculoskeletal diagnosis.
abstract: Radiological studies can confirm or rule out competing diagnoses for musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Obtaining a detailed history and physical examination is pivotal for localizing the pain generator and choosing the most appropriate imaging studies, based on the suspected injured tissue. Judicious use of imaging is important to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure, minimize cost, and avoid therapy targeting asymptomatic imaging abnormalities. This article compares and contrasts the diagnostic imaging commonly used for detecting musculoskeletal injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Health Systems, 325 East Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA. Electronic address: aquandt@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Aagesen
authors.forename: Maged
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melek
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005528:Foot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Arthrogram; Computed tomography; Diagnostic imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Radiographs; Radiology