Foot series

Last revised by Andrew Murphy on 23 Mar 2023

The foot series is comprised of a dorsoplantar (DP), medial oblique, and a lateral projection. The series is often utilized in emergency departments after trauma or sports related injuries 2,4.

See: approach to foot series.

Indications

Foot radiographs are performed for a variety of indications including 1-4

  • foot trauma
  • bony tenderness at the base of the 5th metatarsal
  • bony tenderness at the navicular bone
  • inability to weight-bear more than four steps
  • non-traumatic foot pain

Projections

Standard projections
  • DP
    • demonstrates the metatarsals in the natural anatomical position
  • medial oblique
    • a DP projection with the foot angled 30-40° medially (depending on the transverse arch)
    • the most pertinent projection for the evaluation of the tarsal bones that form the midfoot and forefoot structures 1,3
  • lateral
    • projection 90° to the DP view
    • demonstrates the foot in profile from the distal phalanges to the skin margins of the posterior calcaneus, extending superiorly to the talocrural joint
Additional projections
  • weightbearing DP
    • the DP projection, however, weight-bearing
    • this projection is useful when observing how the structures of the foot perform under weight
    • performed to assess for a dynamic widening of the Lisfranc joint, which would indicate a Lisfranc injury
  • weightbearing lateral
    • the lateral projection, however, weight-bearing. This projection is useful when observing how the structures of the foot perform under weight
Specialized projections
  • Canale view
    • medial oblique projection to asses the talus

Depending on geography, the lateral foot projection may be considered an additional projection.

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