Computed tomography solves problems in orthopedic radiology.

One of the most important developments in orthopedic diagnostic radiology in the past 50 years has been that of computed tomography. The cross-sectional display, the capacity to reformat in other planes, the extreme sensitivity to differences in X-ray beam attenuation, the ability to manipulate the contrasts of the images, and the ability to produce blurless tomographic sections of varying thicknesses while the patient, even in a heavy plaster cast, does nothing more than lie still, are some of the capabilities that have enabled computed tomography to improve the way radiology can help the orthopedic surgeon care for patients.