Place the patient in lateral recumbent or seated position with the affected foot on its lateral side on the image receptor, plantar surface vertical. Dorsiflex the ankle to 90°. Center the beam perpendicular to the receptor at the base of the third metatarsal, include talus and calcaneus, and collimate to the foot. Obtain a true lateral (malleoli superimposed) and use appropriate shielding.

A lateral foot X‑ray provides a side view to evaluate bone alignment, fractures, dislocations, and joint spaces. It helps detect acute injuries, chronic changes like arthritis or deformities (e.g., flatfoot), bone infections, tumors, and foreign bodies. It’s used for diagnostic assessment, guiding treatment decisions, and pre- or postoperative planning for foot injuries or conditions.

A lateral X-ray view is a radiographic image taken with the X-ray beam passing from one side of the body to the other, producing a profile image. It separates overlapping structures seen on frontal films, clarifies bone alignment, spinal curvature, chest anatomy, and soft-tissue details, helping detect fractures, fluid levels, lung or heart abnormalities, and foreign bodies. Positioning varies by body part.

The standard best approach is a three‑view foot X‑ray: AP (dorsoplantar), lateral and a 30° medial oblique. The oblique best visualizes metatarsals and tarsometatarsal joints, the lateral shows calcaneus/talus alignment, and the AP shows overall forefoot spacing. Weight‑bearing AP and lateral views are preferred when assessing alignment, arch height or suspected subtle fractures.

AP (anteroposterior) view: the x‑ray beam travels from the front to the back of the patient with the detector positioned posteriorly. Lateral view: the beam passes from one side to the other, giving a side profile. Using both views provides perpendicular perspectives that help localize abnormalities, assess bone alignment, fractures, lung fields and mediastinal structures, and improve diagnostic accuracy.

The three standard foot X‑ray views are anteroposterior (AP or dorsoplantar), lateral, and oblique. AP/dorsoplantar shows forefoot and midfoot alignment; lateral displays calcaneus, talus and the longitudinal arch; oblique (commonly a 30° medial oblique) better visualizes the metatarsals, tarsometatarsal joints and the fifth metatarsal base. These are often done weight‑bearing for alignment or fracture assessment.