Ankle Positioning

Question 1

What are the structures seen for an AP ankle?

Answer 1

• True AP position of ankle
• Distal ends of tibia & fibula, and the proximal portion of the talus are seen
• Tibiotalar joint space is seen
• Talus slightly overlapping distal fibula
• Includes tib-fib articulation & proximal half of metatarsals

Question 2

How is the patient positioned for an AP ankle?

Answer 2

• Patient is either supine or sitting on table
• Dorsiflexed foot

Question 3

Where is the CR for an AP ankle?

Answer 3

Perpendicular through the ankle joint between malleoli

Question 4

What are the structures seen for an AP oblique medial rotation (mortise) ankle?

Answer 4

• Three sides of mortise joint visualised
• Talofibular joint spaced in profile
• No overlap of the anterior tubercle of the tibia and the superolateral portion of the talus with the fibula
• Includes tib-fib articulation and proximal half of metatarsals

Question 5

How is the patient positioned for an AP oblique medial rotation (mortise) ankle?

Answer 5

• Patient is either supine or sitting on table
• Dorsiflexed foot
• Internally rotate leg & foot 15-20 degrees

Question 6

Where is the CR for an AP oblique medial rotation (mortise) ankle?

Answer 6

Perpendicular through ankle joint between malleoli

Question 7

Where is the intermalleolar plane for an AP oblique medial rotation (mortise) ankle?

Answer 7

Parallel with IR

Question 8

Whats another name for a mortise view?

Answer 8

AP oblique medial rotation

Question 9

Whats another name for an AP oblique medial rotation?

Answer 9

Mortise view

Question 10

What are the structures seen for a 45-degree medial oblique ankle?

Answer 10

• Distal tibia, fibula, and talus are seen
• Distal tibia and fibula overlapping some of the talus
• Tibiofibular articulation seen
• Includes tib-fib articulation and proximal half of metatarsals

Question 11

How is the patient positioned for a 45-degree medial oblique ankle?

Answer 11

• Patient is either supine or sitting on table
• Dorsiflexed foot
• Rotate hip, knee, and ankle as a unit 45 degrees medially

Question 12

Where is the CR for a 45-degree medial oblique ankle?

Answer 12

Perpendicular through ankle joint between malleoli

Question 13

What are the structures seen for a 45-degree lateral oblique ankle?

Answer 13

• Demonstrates superior aspect of calcaneus, called the calcaneal sulcus
• Subtalar joint is seen
• Useful in locating fractures
• Include tib-fib articulation and proximal half of metatarsals

Question 14

Whats another word for the superior aspect of the calcaneus?

Answer 14

Calcaneal sulcus

Question 15

What is the calcaneal sulcus?

Answer 15

The superior aspect of the calcaneus

Question 16

What ankle view is useful in locating fractures?

Answer 16

45-degree lateral oblique

Question 17

What is the 45-degree lateral oblique useful for?

Answer 17

Locating fractures

Question 18

How is the patient positioned for a 45-degree lateral oblique ankle?

Answer 18

• Patient is supine or sitting on table
• Dorsiflexed foot
• Rotate hip, knee, and ankle as a unit 45 degrees laterally

Question 19

Where is the CR for a 45-degree lateral oblique ankle?

Answer 19

Perpendicular through ankle joint between malleoli

Question 20

What are the structures seen for a mediolateral ankle?

Answer 20

• Tibiotalar joint well visulaized
• Fibula over the posterior half of the tibia
• 5th metatarsal should be seen to check for jones fracture
• Include tib-fib articulation

Question 21

How is the patient positioned for a mediolateral ankle?

Answer 21

• Patient is rolled toward the affected side to place lateral surface of ankle in contact with IR
• Dorsiflexed foot

Question 22

Where is the CR for a mediolateral ankle?

Answer 22

Perpendicular at medial malleolus