X RAY FOOT OBLIQUE VIEW

The oblique view of the foot is an X‑ray taken with the foot rotated about 30–45° (usually a medial oblique) to project the metatarsals, tarsal bones and joint spaces without overlap. It better demonstrates the cuboid, sinus tarsi, navicular and metatarsal shafts, helping detect fractures, dislocations, joint widening and foreign bodies. It's performed with the patient supine or seated and the central beam perpendicular to the film.

An oblique X‑ray of the right foot is an angled radiograph taken with the foot rotated about 30–45° to provide a slanted view of the tarsal and metatarsal bones and joint spaces. This projection complements AP and lateral views, improving detection of fractures, dislocations, bone alignment issues, degenerative changes, and foreign bodies. The patient is positioned supine or seated with the foot rotated for the central beam.

The three standard foot x-ray views are dorsoplantar (anteroposterior), lateral, and oblique. The dorsoplantar/AP view shows overall alignment and the forefoot; lateral demonstrates sagittal profile, arch and calcaneus; oblique highlights metatarsals and tarsometatarsal joints. Weight-bearing films are often obtained to assess functional alignment.

Position the patient supine or seated with the knee flexed and the plantar surface flat on the image receptor. Rotate the entire leg medially about 30° to obtain a medial oblique. Center the beam at the base of the third metatarsal, use ≈100 cm SID, collimate toes to calcaneus, place a side marker, apply gonadal shielding, and instruct the patient to remain still during exposure.

The foot oblique radiographic view provides an angled image that separates overlapping bones, improving visualization of the metatarsals, phalanges, tarsal bones and joint spaces. It complements AP and lateral views to detect fractures, dislocations, subluxations (including subtle Lisfranc injuries), small avulsion fractures, bone fragments and degenerative changes, and helps localize foreign bodies, increasing diagnostic accuracy.

An oblique view is an X‑ray projection taken at an angle between frontal (AP/PA) and lateral planes, with the patient or X‑ray beam rotated to partially profile structures. It reduces anatomic overlap, improving visualization of bones, joints, ribs, spine and soft-tissue detail that may be hidden on standard views. It’s described as anterior or posterior oblique based on the side nearest the receptor.