X Ray Right Calcaneum Lateral View

The lateral position for a calcaneus X‑ray has the patient lying on their side with the affected heel against the image receptor. The knee is slightly flexed and the ankle placed in a true lateral (foot dorsiflexed to 90°) so the malleoli are superimposed. The central X‑ray beam is perpendicular to the receptor and centered over the calcaneus/subtalar region.

Position the patient so the side of interest contacts the image receptor, ensuring the body part is true lateral (perpendicular to the beam). Align the central ray to the region, collimate to include anatomical landmarks, and immobilize the patient. Use lead shielding as appropriate. Instruct the patient to hold still (or hold breath for chest/abdomen), label left/right markers, and check image quality.

For a calcaneus X‑ray: lateral projection — the central ray is perpendicular and centered about 1 inch (≈2.5 cm) distal to the medial malleolus (over the calcaneus). Axial (plantodorsal/Harris–Beath) projection — the CR is angled roughly 40° cephalad to the long axis of the foot and centered at the calcaneus/heel to visualize the posterior calcaneus and subtalar joint.

The right calcaneus is the right heel bone—the largest tarsal bone in the foot. It forms the heel, articulates with the talus above and the cuboid in front, bears weight during standing and walking, and anchors the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. Common problems include fractures, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, which cause heel pain and difficulty walking.

The lateral calcaneus is the outer aspect of the calcaneus (heel bone), forming the lateral hindfoot. It articulates with the cuboid and talus, and provides attachment sites for lateral ligaments, peroneal tendons and part of the plantar fascia. It bears load during gait and is a common site for fractures, bursitis and tendon-related pain.

A lateral X‑ray is a side view of the body, not inherently left or right. It can be either left lateral or right lateral depending on which side of the patient is placed against the detector and which radiographic marker is used. If unlabeled, you cannot reliably determine side; most chest laterals are done left lateral to reduce cardiac magnification.