Correct Positioning of the Foot and Ankle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Correct Positioning of the Foot and Ankle - Essay Example These four positions are all that are needed for accurate and complete x-ray views of the foot and the ankle; depending on the location of the pain or injury depends on which of the three positions are used; this paper will discuss all four of the different positions that are used, as well as an example of a foot injury, an example of an ankle injury, and which of the three positions are used to best diagnose and treat the specific injury. The anteroposterior, or AP, view provides imaging of the forefoot, midfoot, tarsometatarsal and transverse tarsal articulations. To be able to obtain this particular view, the foot is placed pad down on the x-ray film, with the knee bent at a 90 degree angle, while the patient sits on the table. The beam is â€Å"centered on the third metatarsal and angled 15 degrees cephalad from the vertical† (Jones & Younger, 2006). This natural position mimics that a person would be in if they were sitting on the ground with their knees bent, and their weight placed on their elbows and buttocks. The lateral view is obtained by a person lying on their side, with the junction of the talus and fibula placed directly on the x-ray film, or plate. The beam is directly â€Å"perpendicular to a point above the base of the fifth metatarsal† (Jones & Younger, 2006). The internal oblique, or medial oblique, image compliments the lateral and AP views of the foot and ankle and is used routinely as the third view in the series. This position involves the turning of the foot and ankle outward, as though the patient were looking sideways at their ankle. The foot should be kept at a 30 degree angle ideally, with the distal phalanx of the big toe supporting the weight of the foot, and the last three phalanges of the foot not resting on the plate at all. It provides a clearer picture of the forefoot. The external oblique image is used to provide a clearer picture of the hind foot and is used as a main part of the three view foot