Radiology of the Hip : Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics

- AP view:
- patient is supine with the foot internally rotated 15 deg to obtain best views of the femoral neck;
- central beam is directed toward the femoral head;
- X-ray tube should be positioned 100 cm from focal plane of film cassette to yield an image at 20%
            magnification, corresponding to the magnification incorporated in the templates;
   - tape measure will allow accurate assessment of radiographic magnification;

- Lateral View:
    - surgical lateral view:
- this view should be obtained on all patients suspected of having a hip fracture or dislocation;
- do not order a frog leg lateral in any patient suspected of having a hip fracture or dislocation)
- patient is supine; the opposite hip is flexed and abducted;

- cassette is placed against the lateral aspect of the affected hip;
- central beam is directed horizontally toward the groin with about 20 degree of cephalic tilt;

- frogleg lateral view:
- do not order a frog leg lateral in any patient suspected of having hip fracture or dislocation);
- patient is supine w/ knees flexed, soles of feet together, and the thighs maximally abducted;
- central beam is directed vertically or with a 10 to 15 deg cephalic tilt to a point slightly above pubic symphysis;