Foot (lateral view)
Updates to Article Attributes
TheThe lateral projection is part of the three view series examining the phalanges, metatarsals and tarsal bones that make up the foot.
The lateral projection additionally examines the talocrural joint.
Patient position
- the patient may be supine or upright depending on comfort
- the affected leg is externally rotated until the distal limb is parallel to the table, in many cases the patient will have to half roll onto the affected side
- the lateral aspect of the foot will be in contact with the image receptor
- the non affected side is kept posterior to prevent over rotation
- foot is in slight dorsiflexion
- the planter surface should be perpendicular to the image receptor
Technical factors
mediolateral projection
-
centring point
base of metatarsals or midfoot
-
collimation
- anteriorly from the skin margin of the distal phalanxes to extent of the skin margins of the most posterior portion of the calcaneus
superior to the talocrural joint
posterior to the skin margins of the calcaneus
-
orientation
landscape
-
detector size
18 cm x 24 cm
-
exposure
55-60 kVp
4-6 mAs
-
SID
100 cm
-
grid
- no
Image technical evaluation
The metatarsals are almost completely superimposed with only the tuberosity of the 5th metatarsal seen in profile
The domes of the superior aspect of the talus are superimposed
The tibiotalar joint is open
Practical points
If the patient has a larger distal limb it may be difficult to position it parallel to the image receptor, in these cases a foam block can be used to raise the height of the foot to maintain an optimal position.
Anterior-posterior malalignment of the talar domes is due to over or under rotation of the foot. To adjust this, check the heel isn’t raised too far or alternately the toes, if the patient cannot correct this position it can be aided with a small wedge sponge.
-<p><strong>The lateral projection </strong>is part of the <a href="/articles/foot-series">three view series</a> examining the <a href="/articles/phalanges-of-the-feet">phalanges</a>, <a href="/articles/metatarsals">metatarsals</a> and <a href="/articles/tarsal-bones">tarsal bones</a> that make up the foot. </p><p>The lateral projection additionally examines the talocrural joint.</p><h4>Patient position</h4><ul>- +<p>The<strong> lateral projection </strong>is part of the <a href="/articles/foot-series">three view series</a> examining the <a href="/articles/phalanges-of-the-feet">phalanges</a>, <a href="/articles/metatarsals">metatarsals</a> and <a href="/articles/tarsal-bones">tarsal bones</a> that make up the foot. </p><p>The lateral projection additionally examines the talocrural joint.</p><h4>Patient position</h4><ul>