Thumb Oblique
Position the Patient
- Seated at table
- Place hand on IR
- Let thumb rest naturally (this creates oblique)
- Do not rotate or straighten the thumb
Words That Work
“Place your hand palm-down on the plate and let your fingers relax. Allow your thumb to rest in its natural position—like simply setting your hand down on a table. I’ll move your fingers out of the way and make a small adjustment so the thumb is at the correct angle. Keep your thumb relaxed and hold still.”
Oblique thumb positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- MCP joint
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Entire thumb and full metacarpal
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 55-60 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Finger overlap
- •Joints not open
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Entire thumb
- IP and MCP joints
- Full metacarpal
Does the image pass?
- ✓Natural oblique shown
- ✓No finger overlap
- ✓Joints open
- ✓Entire thumb and metacarpal included