Foot Lateral
Position the Patient
- Seated or supine
- Turn foot into true lateral
- Dorsiflex foot slightly to keep metatarsals perpendicular
Words That Work
“Let your leg relax. I’m going to roll your knee and foot together, like rolling a log, until the outside of your foot rests against the plate. Pull your toes gently toward your nose if you can. This gives us a true side view of your foot. Hold still.”
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Lateral foot positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- Base of 3rd metatarsal
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Entire foot
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 55-60 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Metatarsals not superimposed (not true lateral)
- •Entire foot not included
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Phalanges
- Metatarsals
- Tarsals
- Calcaneus in profile
Does the image pass?
- ✓True lateral (metatarsals superimposed)
- ✓Entire foot included
- ✓Tibiotalar joint visible