Ankle (AP view)
The ankle AP view is part of a three view series, and visualizes the distal tibia, distal fibula, proximal talus and proximal fifth metatarsal.
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Indications
The true anteroposterior view of the ankle is often performed in the setting of ankle trauma and suspected ankle fractures in addition to the lateral and Mortise views of the ankle.
Other indications include:
- assessment of fragment position and implants in postoperative follow up
- evaluation of fracture healing
- evaluation of tibiofibular clear space and overlap in suspected syndesmotic injury
- evaluation of hindfoot deformities
In addition, this view can show bony diseases or lesions of the distal lower leg, talus and proximal fifth metatarsal.
Patient position
- the patient may be supine or sitting upright with their leg straighten on the table
- the foot is in dorsiflexion
- the toes will be pointing directly toward the ceiling
Technical factors
- anteroposterior projection
-
centering point
- the midpoint of the lateral and medial malleoli
-
collimation
- laterally to the skin margins
- superior to examine the distal third of the tibia and fibula
- inferior to the proximal aspect of the metatarsals
-
orientation
- portrait
-
detector size
- 24 cm x 30 cm
-
exposure
- 50-60 kVp
- 3-5 mAs
-
SID
- 100 cm
-
grid
- no
Image technical evaluation
The distal fibula should be slightly superimposed the distal tibia.
The lateral and medial malleoli of the distal fibula and tibia are in profile.
The tibiotalar joint space should be open, yet the full mortise joint should not be visualized on the AP.
Practical points
This view can be thought of as the literal anteroposterior of the ankle. Most patients will naturally place their foot in this position.
Although dorsiflexion is essential in both the AP and the mortise view it should be noted that during trauma this may not be possible.
See also
Related Radiopaedia articles
Radiographic views
- imaging in practice
- paediatric radiography
- general radiography (adult)
- shunt series
- chest radiography
- abdominal radiography
-
upper limb radiography
-
shoulder girdle radiography
- scapula series
-
shoulder series
- AP view
- internal rotation view
- external rotation view
- superoinferior axial view
- inferosuperior axial view
- modified trauma axial
- supine lateral
- modified supine lateral
- Y lateral view
- AP glenoid view (Grashey view)
- apical oblique view (Garth view)
- humerus (neck) AP view
- humerus axial (bicipital groove) view (Fisk view)
- outlet view (Neer view)
- Stryker notch view
- acromioclavicular joint series
- clavicle series
- sternoclavicular joint series
- arm and forearm radiography
- wrist and hand radiography
-
shoulder girdle radiography
-
lower limb radiography
- pelvic girdle radiography
- thigh and leg radiography
- ankle and foot radiography
- skull radiography
-
paranasal sinuses and facial bones radiography
- facial bones
- Caldwell view (angled skull PA view)
- nasal bones
- zygomatic arches
- orbits
- paranasal sinuses
- temporal bones
- dental radiography
- orthopantomography (OPG)
- mandible
- temporomandibular joints
- spine radiography