Wrist X-ray positioning
How to position for each of the 5 wrist 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/Wrist
The routine wrist views are Wrist lateral and Wrist PA. Scaphoid series (after injury), Wrist oblique and Wrist PA in ulnar deviation come 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
- Wrist lateral
- Wrist PA
- Scaphoid series (after injury)
- Wrist oblique
- Wrist PA in ulnar deviation
Quick reference
Where to centre, how far and which receptor, for every wrist view at a glance. Open a guide for the full set-up.
| Projection | Centre on | SID | Receptor | Breathing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrist lateral | the radial styloid | 100 cm | 18×24 landscape | No breathing instruction needed |
| Wrist PA | midway between the styloid processes | 100 cm | 18×24 landscape | No breathing instruction needed |
| Scaphoid series (after injury) | the scaphoid | 100 cm | 18×24 landscape | No breathing instruction needed |
| Wrist oblique | the scaphoid | 100 cm | 18×24 landscape | No breathing instruction needed |
| Wrist PA in ulnar deviation | the scaphoid | 100 cm | 18×24 landscape | No breathing instruction needed |
Mistakes that lead to repeats
- Ulna projects behind on the wrist lateral: adjust to a true lateral.
- Rotation on the wrist PA: flatten the palm.
- Waist hidden on the scaphoid series (after injury): use ulnar deviation and the pad.
- Too little rotation on the wrist oblique: use a 45° pad.
- Scaphoid foreshortened on the wrist PA in ulnar deviation: deviate fully to the ulnar side.
Common questions
- Which wrist views are routine?
- Usually Wrist lateral and Wrist PA.
- What distance (SID) do wrist X-rays use?
- 100 cm for every wrist view here.
- Do wrist 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 wrist projection in a 3D room and score your positioning. See ScanFlo XR →