Positioning Sternal recumbency with leg to be radiographed extended forward Use sandbags and wedges as required to maintain position Use a leg tie to prevent the elbow from abducting (see photo) Turn head away from leg you are imaging Position paw in DP Centre midway between condyles and collimate to cover 1/3 of way along humerus proximally and 1/3 of the way along radius and ulna distally Ensure L/R marker in primary beam. What to look for Good visualisation of joint surface; ideally humeral condyles should appear to be of equal size, with the olecranon overlying the olecranon fossa.
Top tips Often the elbow will slide from side to side; a small piece of cotton wool placed under the olecranon can stop this happening.
