Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided a totally new approach to evaluating the musculoskeletal soft tissues; it demonstrates many structures that were relatively invisible to established imaging techniques. MRI can show vascular and articular structures that could previously be seen only after injection of artificial contrast media. This modality demonstrates both physiologic and anatomic information and provides data about the fluid content and solid nature of lesions. Although MRI is not usually tissue specific, a tissue diagnosis may sometimes be suggested. The inherent image contrast exceeds all other imaging modalities, while the spatial resolution approaches that of computed tomography (CT). MRI not only provides high intertissue contrast, but also, by varying the sequence parameters, has the ability to alter the relative contrast between different tissues. All of these advantages are achieved without the need for ionizing radiation and without known health hazards in most patients. MRI is rapidly establishing itself as the definitive imaging method for the soft tissues.1–5