Tibia & fibula X-ray positioning
How to position for each of the 3 tibia & fibula X-ray views: where the patient goes, where to centre, which receptor and distance to use, and what a good image looks like.
By the ScanFlo Editorial Team · Updated
In this section · X-ray positioning
- X-ray positioning guides
- Skull positioning
- Face & sinuses positioning
- Soft tissue neck positioning
- C-spine positioning
- Chest positioning
- Shoulder positioning
- Humerus positioning
- Elbow positioning
- Forearm positioning
- Wrist positioning
- Hand positioning
- T-spine positioning
- Abdomen positioning
- L-spine positioning
- Sacrum & SI joints positioning
- Pelvis positioning
- Hip positioning
- Femur positioning
- Knee positioning
- Tibia & fibula positioning
- Ankle positioning
- Foot positioning
X-ray positioning/Tibia & fibula
The routine tibia & fibula views are Lower leg AP and Lower leg lateral. Lower leg lateral (horizontal beam) comes in when you need to answer a particular question, or when the patient can't manage a routine view. Each guide walks you through the set-up step by step, with a short video, exposure settings for different patient sizes and what a good image should show.
A radiographer is still checking these guides.
Routine views
Extra views
All views in this region
- Lower leg AP
- Lower leg lateral
- Lower leg lateral (horizontal beam)
Quick reference
Where to centre, how far and which receptor, for every tibia & fibula view at a glance. Open a guide for the full set-up.
| Projection | Centre on | SID | Receptor | Breathing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower leg AP | the mid-shaft | 100 cm | 18×43 portrait | No breathing instruction needed |
| Lower leg lateral | the mid-shaft | 100 cm | 18×43 portrait | No breathing instruction needed |
| Lower leg lateral (horizontal beam) | the mid-shaft | 100 cm | 18×43 portrait | No breathing instruction needed |
Mistakes that lead to repeats
- Joint missed on the lower leg AP: image both ends separately if needed.
- Rotation on the lower leg lateral: steady the foot.
Common questions
- Which tibia & fibula views are routine?
- Usually Lower leg AP and Lower leg lateral.
- What distance (SID) do tibia & fibula X-rays use?
- 100 cm for every tibia & fibula view here.
- Do tibia & fibula X-rays need a grid?
- No. These parts are thin enough that a grid isn't needed.
Try it in ScanFlo: the ScanFlo XR X-ray Room, coming soon, lets you set up every tibia & fibula projection in a 3D room and score your positioning. See ScanFlo XR →