Magnetic resonance imaging of musculoskeletal injuries

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been applied toward the assessment of a wide spectrum of injuries to the musculoskeletal system. This use of MR imaging has been enthusiastically accepted by orthopedic surgeons, and the assessment of musculoskeletal trauma has emerged as one of the most commonly utilized applications of this diagnostic method. This article encompasses the major applications of MR imaging in the assessment of injuries to bone and soft tissue. Emphasis is placed on the most commonly encountered conditions, namely, those that are accidental, exercise-, and sports-related. Technical considerations as they pertain to the design and interpretation of trauma-related musculoskeletal MR imaging are addressed.