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Arthrography of hip arthroplasties is a safe, easy-to-perform procedure. It is mainly indicated when infection of the arthroplasty is suspected: the contrast agent fills bone defects that may be present between normal bone and the prosthesis and reaspiration of injected fluids may lead to bacteriological diagnosis. Another indication for arthrography of hip arthroplasties is unexplained painful hip prosthesis.

The hand is a major site of musculoskeletal disorders. Clinical features to be studied include the patient's age and sex, pain, stiffness, range of motion of the various joints of the wrists and hands, soft tissue swelling (particularly tendons sheaths), bone excrescences, skin changes. Radiological abnormalities in the hands, if any, may confirm the clinical diagnosis. The main features of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, erosive degenerative changes, Südeck syndrome, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease, etc., are reviewed.

Nuclear magnetic resonance has shed new light on our understanding of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. It is at present the most sensitive and most specific imaging technique for the diagnosis of this condition. Studies involving correlations between MR images and anatomical findings have facilitated the understanding of tissue changes responsible for magnetic appearances. However, all problems are not resolved. At an early stage, fortunately almost always asymptomatic, false negative MRI or MR findings similar to those of algoneurodystrophy of the hip can be encountered. The aim of this article is to pinpoint the current status of these questions on the basis of a review of the recent literature. The contribution of MRI with injection of Gadolinium and future prospects are also discussed.

That proximal joint, the glenohumeral joint is difficult to examine by simple X-rays which explains the numerous lateral views proposed; it is essential to know the precise indications and respective value of each of these views. Arthrography generally combined with computed tomography is an excellent examination for the study of the glenoidal labrum and the capsular structures. In other indications, particularly for the study of the rotator cuff, it tends to be replaced by MRI.

The wrist is an articular complex composed of the radio-carpal, distal radio-ulnar and all of the carpal joints. Despite progress in imaging techniques, conventional radiology with plain x-rays and arthrography are still very widely used. Plain x-rays, numerous because of the anatomical complexity of the wrist, must be selected in relation to the clinical context and suspected diagnosis and must be performed according to a perfect technique. Contrast arthrography may be uni-, bi-, or tri-compartmental depending on the information required. It allows assessment of the integrity of the intra-articular synovial and ligamentous structures. The specific indications for computed tomography are uncommon, but those of MRI are becoming increasingly frequent due to refinement of the machines, especially the development of surface coils.