Foot Oblique
Position the Patient
- Seated or supine
- Rotate foot 30–45° medially
- Keep plantar surface resting on IR edge for stability
Words That Work
“Let your leg relax. I’m going to roll your knee and foot inward, like rolling a log, so your whole leg moves as one unit. I’ll support it at a slight angle. This helps separate bones that overlap in the straight-on view. Hold still.”
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Oblique 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
- •Incorrect obliquity (3rd-5th metatarsals superimposed)
- •Entire foot not included
- •Joint spaces not open
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Phalanges
- Metatarsals
- Tarsals
- Sinus tarsi
Does the image pass?
- ✓Proper obliquity (3rd–5th metatarsals free of superimposition)
- ✓Entire foot included
- ✓Joint spaces open