Abstract
Orthographic radiography, a revelation at its inception, has been the orthopaedic standard for a century. It has facilitated osteology and empowered arthroplasty like no other parallel technology. While many new imaging modalities – nuclear scans, computerized axial tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc. – have advanced the art even further, plain XRays, quite frankly, remain the standard for identifying patient pathology and evaluating surgical intervention. The enlightened scrutiny of properly obtained and successfully reproduced radiographic images still yields far more information in the daily practice of orthopaedics than its more sophisticated and expensive derivatives. A detailed review of readily available diagnostic information is intended to rejuvenate/resuscitate our most valuable ally in the evolving struggle against arthritic disease.
Correspondence should be addressed to Diane Przepiorski at ISTA, PO Box 6564, Auburn, CA 95604, USA. Phone: +1 916-454-9884; Fax: +1 916-454-9882; E-mail: ista@pacbell.net
