Radiography of orthopedic trauma and fracture repair

Fracture of bone and bone healing are similar to healing of soft tissues; however, the crystalline structure of bone tissue and its slow but dynamic recovery give some mystique to the healing process. The problem is further complicated by the common misconception that radiology is the best way to assess the changes occurring in bone. It is becoming more apparent that radiology is best only to describe normal or disrupted anatomical conformation. Other established and emerging modalities are competing with radiology for evaluation of the skeletal tissues. It is most important to remember that a clinical examination with evaluation and assimilation of the clinical signs gives a better indication of the physiological and pathological status of bone healing that any of the sophisticated imaging modalities. Imaging should be reserved as an adjunct to the clinical examination.