X-Ray Foot Lateral View (Right/Left) Procedure

In the lateral view of both feet, the tarsal bones of the ankle, the metatarsal bones of the front of the foot, the phalanges of the toes, and the soft tissues (skin and muscles) surrounding the tarsal bones can all be seen.

INDICATION

• Foot trauma
• navicular bone soreness
• bony discomfort at the base of the fifth metatarsal
• inability to carry one's weight more than four steps
• non-traumatic foot pain
• the presence of a varus-valgus foot
• a foreign body; a sprain
• a fracture
• Osteoporosis
• a calcaneus spar

PATIENT POSITIONING

Female patients must inform the technologist/ doctor about their pregnancy before the procedure.

Removal of metallic objects is compulsory to avoid any kind of bright or dark spot on the diagnostic film.

PART POSITIONING

The patient may be supine or upright, depending on their comfort level. The affected leg is externally rotated until the distal limb is parallel to the table; in many situations, the patient may need to half roll onto the affected side. The lateral aspect of the foot will be in touch with the image receptor. To avoid over-rotation, the afflicted side is kept posterior. Little dorsiflexion is present in the foot. The surface of the planter should be parallel to the image receptor.