The fundamental goal of orthopedic treatment is restoration of musculoskeletal function. A new definition of musculoskeletal function includes the capacity to not only perform certain high-level activities, but also to maintain tissue homeostasis while doing so. Technetium bone scintigraphy is, at present, the best method to manifest the characteristic of tissue homeostasis in living musculoskeletal systems. A persistently positive posttreatment bone scan can identify joints at risk of early degenerative changes. The achievement of documented restoration of osseous homeostasis, provided by normal results on a bone scan, conversely is substantial objective data indicating successful orthopedic treatment. Future developments in imaging allowing sequential tracking of the homeostasis characteristics of all musculoskeletal tissues should result in improved orthopedic concepts of injury and repair, and ultimately safer and more effective therapeutic techniques.