A Useful Position for Examining the Foot

For some time we have been using a position for examining the tarsal bones, which has certain advantages over the standard dorso-plantar and lateral positions. Inasmuch as this does not appear to be standardized, we have felt that a brief description of the position as we use it will be worth while. In this position, the foot is inverted, with the outside elevated to a thirty-degree angle with the film holder (Fig. 1). The central ray is directed perpendicularly to the film and centered over the tarsal bones. We have found that if the angle which the foot makes with the film is increased more than thirty degrees, the external cuneiform tends to be thrown over the other cuneiform bones so that it is not clearly shown. This angle is easily obtained by making a wooden angle board for insertion under the sole of the foot. The resultant film (Fig. 2) is quite different from that obtained by allowing the foot to remain flat and only tilting the tube. This position is of particular value in the demonstration of ...