Radiographic Anatomy And Positioning Of The Foot

RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY AND POSITIONING OF THE FOOT

ANATOMY

The foot is the lower extremity of the leg used for standing and walking, typically consisting of toes, a sole and an arch

The foot is a complex structure made up of 26 bones

Tarsal – 7

Metatarsal – 5

Phalanges -14

JOINTS FOUND ON FOOT

• Ankle joint
• Subtalar joint
• Transverse tarsal joint
• Metatarsophalangeal [MTP]

Inter phalangeal joint

TARSALS BONES

• Medial cuneiform
• Intermediate cuneiform
• Lateral cuneiform
• Navicular
• Cuboid
• Talus

calcaneus

THE DISTAL FIBIA AND TIBULA

RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE FOOT

POSITIONING OF THE FOOT AND ANKLE JOINT

Indication[Trauma, skeletal survey,pathology,follow –up] Direction and centering of x –ray beam[the cassete is placed under the foot with the central ray perpendicular to the film at the base of the third metatarsal] Image characteristics[The image should be well defined with clear outlined of the bones ,minimizing blurring to allow for accurate assessment Technical parameters [55-65kvp,2-5mA]

POSITIONING OF THE FOOT

Remove shoes, socks and other radiopaque objects The patient should lies supine on the imaging table ,the foot should fully extended and flat on the radiographic plate, the toes should point directly upward Shield the patient gonard from scattered radiation collimation[include the ankle joint to assess any potential related injuries]

Routine projection

• AP
• Lateral

Oblique

AP

THE LATERAL VIEW

MEDIAL OBLIQUE VIEW

AP axial foot radiograph

Lateral foot radiograph

Medial oblique foot radiograph