Radiographic Positioning: Radiographic Positioning of the Elbow

ELBOW

ROUTINE POSITIONS: AP, External Oblique, Internal Oblique, Lateral

AP
1. 10 x 12 detail film divide in half crosswise.
2. Patient seated with palm up and arm fully extended.
3. Table top
4. 40" SID
5. Central Ray: center to joint

EXTERNAL OBLIQUE
1. 10 x 12 detail film divide in half crosswise.
2. Patient seated with palm up and arm fully extended laterally, rotate entire arm so that anterior surface of elbow joint is 45 degrees to film.
3. Patient will need to lean over and drop shoulder onto table top.
4. Table top
5. 40" SID
6. Central Ray: center of joint
7. This will demonstrate radial head and neck free of super imposition.

INTERNAL OBLIQUE
1. 10 x 12 detail film divide in half crosswise.
2. Patient seated with palm up and arm fully extended medially, rotate elbow no more than 45 degrees.
3. Table top
4. 40" SID
5. Central Ray: center to joint
6. This demonstrates the coronoid process of ulna.

LATERAL
1. 10 x 12 detail film divide in half crosswise.
2. Patient seated with elbow flexed 90 degrees. Forearm and Humerus in same place. Thumb must be up. Wrist and elbow in true lateral position.
3. Table top
4. 40" SID
5. Central Ray: center of joint
6. This demonstrates olecranon process.

*NOTE: THE HUMERUS AND FOREARM MUST BE IN CONTACT WITH CASSETTE FOR ALL VIEWS.