(iii) CT and MRI of hip replacements

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are now useful imaging techniques in the evaluation of hip arthroplasty. The recognised problems of beam hardening in CT and magnetic susceptibility artefact in MRI have been significantly reduced.MRI is useful for assessing the peri-prosthetic soft tissues and in evaluation of the painful replacement with normal plain films.CT is better than plain films in evaluating bone stock around a hip replacement.