Knee Lateral
Position the Patient
- Patient supine
- Turn patient toward affected side
- Flex knee 20–30°
- Femoral condyles superimposed
- Patella perpendicular to IR
- Support ankle as needed
Words That Work
“Roll onto your affected side so the outside of your knee rests against the plate. Bend your knee just slightly—like you’re relaxing it, not curling it up. I’ll help position your leg for a true side view. Hold still.”
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Lateral knee positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- 1" distal to medial epicondyle; 5° cephalic; Thin knee: 3° cephalic; Thick knee: 7° cephalic
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Distal femur → proximal tib/fib
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 60-70 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Femoral condyles not superimposed (not true lateral)
- •Patella not in true lateral position
- •Joint space not open
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Distal femur
- Proximal tibia/fibula
- Patella in profile
- Open joint space
Does the image pass?
- ✓Femoral condyles superimposed
- ✓Joint space open
- ✓Patella in true lateral
- ✓No rotation