[Imaging procedures of the spine, bones, and joints].

Imaging procedures are an important diagnostic cornerstone for the examination and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Thanks to the development made in the last 100 years, this kind of diagnosis has made an enormous progress and will continue to do so. Computer technology allows not only to improve and speed up the imaging process but also to make technically outstanding reconstructions which can be necessary for specific operative indications but provoke a development that does not meet the current requirements of cost effectiveness and expendiency. Thus, every user of this technique should be aware what he/she can expect from such an examination, what the outcome should be and how the results should be interpreted. We have to remember that imaging procedures alone do not make the diagnosis or define the type of therapy that should be performed, but have to be used together with other aspects like anamnesis and clinical examination. With such measures it is possible to make the majority of the diagnoses and begin the treatment. Complex imaging procedures are only reasonable and necessary if the therapy is not working anymore or if there are clear indications for systemic disorders like infections, malignancies or paralyses.