Osteoarthritis of the wrist and hand, and spine

Although osteoarthritis (OA) of the wrist and fingers is routinely diagnosed using plain film, a thorough assessment of cartilage injuries using CT-arthrography, MR imaging, or MR-arthrography remains necessary before any surgical procedure. MR imaging is ideally suited for delineating the presence, extent, and complications of degenerative spinal disease, including OA of the spine involving the disk space, vertebral endplates, facet joints, or supportive and surrounding soft tissues. Other imaging modalities such as CT, dynamic radiography, myelography, and discography may provide complimentary information in selected cases. This article focuses on imaging of OA of the wrist and hand and the lumbar spine, with an emphasis on current MR imaging grading systems available for the assessment of discovertebral lesions.