Hand Lateral
Position the Patient
- Seated at table
- Place hand on IR
- Position hand in true lateral
- Fan fingers or use sponge to avoid overlap
Words That Work
“Turn your hand onto its pinky side with your thumb pointing up. Keep your wrist straight and gently fan your fingers apart so they don’t overlap. I can place a small sponge between them if that’s easier. Hold still.”
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Lateral hand positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- Second MCP joint
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Entire hand and distal wrist
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 55-60 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Finger overlap (not fanned or sponged)
- •Not true lateral
- •Hand or wrist cut off
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- All phalanges
- All metacarpals
- Carpals
- Distal radius and ulna
Does the image pass?
- ✓True lateral
- ✓No finger overlap (fan or sponge method)
- ✓Entire hand and distal wrist included