Elbow Lateral
Position the Patient
- Seated at table
- Flex elbow 90°
- Place elbow on IR in true lateral
- Thumb up
- Ensure humerus and forearm are in the same plane
Words That Work
“Sit close to the table and rest your entire arm on it. I’m going to adjust your position so your shoulder, elbow, and wrist are all at the same height. Bend your elbow into an L-shape—as close to 90 degrees as is comfortable—and point your thumb toward the ceiling. Let your shoulder relax. I’m going to gently turn your whole arm until the two bony bumps on either side of your elbow are stacked directly over each other. That gives us a true side view. Keep your upper arm and forearm resting flat, and don’t let your shoulder lift or your hand roll. Hold exactly there.”
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Lateral 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
- •Elbow not flexed to 90 degrees
- •Epicondyles not superimposed (not true lateral)
- •Olecranon not in profile
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Olecranon process
- Distal humerus
- Proximal radius and ulna
Does the image pass?
- ✓True lateral (superimposed humeral epicondyles)
- ✓Olecranon in profile
- ✓Distal humerus and proximal forearm included
- ✓About one-half of radial head superimposed by the coronoid process