Elbow AP
Position the Patient
- Seated at table
- Extend arm fully
- Supinate hand (palm up)
- Ensure humerus and forearm are in the same plane
Words That Work
“Straighten your arm on the table as much as is comfortable. Turn your palm toward the ceiling, like you’re balancing a ball in your open hand. Keep your shoulder, elbow, and wrist level, and hold still.”
1 of 2
AP elbow positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- Mid‑elbow joint
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Distal humerus to proximal forearm
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 60-65 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Arm not fully extended
- •Rotation
- •Joint space not visible
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Distal humerus
- Proximal radius and ulna
- Elbow joint space
Does the image pass?
- ✓No rotation (slight superimposition of proximal radius/ulna)
- ✓Joint space visible
- ✓Distal humerus and proximal forearm included