Plain film radiography is the mainstay of orthopaedic investigation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is however now being utilised more frequently and reveals pathology that may have been overlooked with the plain film.
This paper describes the basic science of MRI. It also describes the most frequently used sequences in orthopaedic MRI, MRI safety, and types of scanner, artefacts and the use of gadolinium.
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