Calcaneus Axial
Position the Patient
- Sitting or supine
- Dorsiflex foot as much as possible
- Use strap or sheet to pull toes back if needed
Words That Work
“Keep your leg straight and pull your toes toward your nose—as if pressing the bottom of your foot against an invisible wall. I’ll place a strap around the ball of your foot to help hold it there. Pull only as far as comfortable and keep your heel still.”
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Axial calcaneus - patient positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- CR angled 40° cephalic to base of the third metatarsal
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Include calcaneus and subtalar joint
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 65-70 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Insufficient dorsiflexion
- •Incorrect CR angle (not 40° cephalic)
- •Subtalar joint not open
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Calcaneus
- Sustentaculum tali
- Subtalar joint
Does the image pass?
- ✓Calcaneus centered
- ✓Subtalar joint open
- ✓No rotation