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Because MRI provides such clear pictures of soft tissue structures, it is usually the preferred choice for examining the body's major joints and the soft tissues of the extremities. MRI is widely used to diagnose disc disease and sports-related injuries, as well as work-related disorders and repetitive motion injuries. Using MRI images, physicians can locate and identify the cause of pain, swelling or bleeding in the tissues in and around the joints and bones. The images allow the physician to clearly see small tears and injuries to tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilage, and fractures that cannot be seen on routine X-rays. Finally, MRI is also useful for the diagnosis and characterization of infections (e.g., osteomyelitis) and tumors (e.g., metastases) involving bones, soft tissues and joints.
