Wrist Lateral
Position the Patient
- Seated at table
- Place wrist on IR
- Position wrist in true lateral
- Thumb up
Words That Work
“Rest your forearm and the pinky side of your hand on the plate with your thumb pointing straight up—like you’re offering a handshake. Keep your wrist straight while I adjust your hand for a true side view. Hold still.”
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Lateral wrist positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- Mid‑carpal area
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Distal forearm to mid‑metacarpals
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 55-60 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Radius and ulna not superimposed (not true lateral)
- •Carpals not clearly seen
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Carpals
- Distal radius and ulna
- Proximal metacarpals
Does the image pass?
- ✓True lateral (radius and ulna superimposed)
- ✓Carpals clearly seen
- ✓Distal radius and ulna included