For an AP ankle radiograph, what maneuver helps place the ankle in the correct projection?

For an AP ankle radiograph, what maneuver helps place the ankle in the correct projection?

• A. Dorsiflex the foot
• B. Extend the foot
• C. Angle the tube cephalad 15
• D. Angle the tube medially 10

Answer: (A)

Dorsiflexing the foot puts the ankle into a true AP position by bringing the tibia and talus into alignment with the radiographic beam and the image plane. When the foot is dorsiflexed to near 90 degrees, the ankle joint is viewed with less tilt and distortion, so the mortise and joint spaces are represented more accurately and overlapped structures are minimized. If the foot remains plantarflexed or flexed, the tibia and talus won’t be in the proper relationship to the beam, which can distort the joint spaces and obscure anatomy. For this reason, dorsiflexion is the maneuver that best achieves the correct AP ankle projection.

Dorsiflexing the foot puts the ankle into a true AP position by bringing the tibia and talus into alignment with the radiographic beam and the image plane. When the foot is dorsiflexed to near 90 degrees, the ankle joint is viewed with less tilt and distortion, so the mortise and joint spaces are represented more accurately and overlapped structures are minimized. If the foot remains plantarflexed or flexed, the tibia and talus won’t be in the proper relationship to the beam, which can distort the joint spaces and obscure anatomy. For this reason, dorsiflexion is the maneuver that best achieves the correct AP ankle projection.