Elbow and Hip Radiography

Question 1

Why are elbows and hips radiographed?

Answer 1

• Hips are regularly radiographed as part of the BVA and KC scheme for hip and elbow dysplasia
  ○ Must meet certain criteria
• Also taken to investigate a clinical finding
  ○ E.g. pain, lameness

Question 2

What views are used to radiograph Hips

Answer 2

Ventrodorsal
Lateral

Question 3

What should you do when the patient is deeper than 10cm?

Answer 3

Place cassette in bucky tray
Use grid (built into table)

Question 4

What views are used to radiograph elbows?

Answer 4

Mediolateral
Craniocaudal

Question 5

Ventrodorsal Hip Radiography Positioning

Answer 5

○ Dog placed in dorsal recumbency
○ Sandbags placed on axilli to stablise positioning
Gutter may help keep patient straight
○ Support head with sandbags
○ Hind limbs extended caudally
Ties above hocks to keep limbs parallel and even in length
Use sandbags as weights or lie to cleats
○ Check symmetry of body as a whole
Ensure no axial rotation
○ Adduct stifles so femurs are parallel
Tie or tape just proximal to stifle to maintain position
○ Foam block under hock and sandbag over the hocks to maintain positioning

Question 6

Ventrodorsal Hip Radiography Centring

Answer 6

Centre light beam midline at level of the hips

Question 7

Ventrodorsal Hip Radiography Collimation

Answer 7

○ Cranial - ilial wings
○ Caudal - mid femur
Don’t include stifles
○ Lateral - greater trochanter

Question 8

Lateral Hip Radiography Positioning

Answer 8

○ Dog placed in lateral recumbency
○ Wedge placed between femurs so both are perpendicular to spine

(This is more for viewing pelvis rather than hip joint)

Question 9

Mediolateral Elbow Radiography Positioning

Answer 9

○ Dog placed in lateral recumbency with extended neck
○ Elbow placed directly on cassette
○ Contralateral limb retracted over dogs thorax caudally using ties or sandbags
○ Ensure elbow is parallel to cassette by placing foam wedge under carpus if required
○ Secure distal limb with sandbag
○ 2 views of neutral and 45o flexion

Question 10

Mediolateral Elbow Radiography Centring

Answer 10

○ Centre light beam on the elbow joint
○ Medial humeral epicondyle

Question 11

Mediolateral Elbow Radiography Collimation

Answer 11

○ Whole of the elbow
○ Distal 1/3 of the humerus
○ Proximal 1/3 of the radius/ulna

Question 12

Craniocaudal Elbow Radiography Positioning

Answer 12

○ Dog placed in sternal recumbency
○ Elevate head with foam block away from limb of interest
○ Extend limb of interest cranially
Ensure humerus, radius and ulna are in a straight line
○ Sand bags/foam wedges placed under contralateral shoulder to elevate patient
○ Foam wedge under point of elbow prevents rolling
○ Secure distal limb with sandbag
○ Palpate limb to ensure both epicondyles of humerus are same distance from cassette

Question 13

Craniocaudal Elbow Radiography Centring

Answer 13

○ Centre light beam on the elbow joint
○ Medial humeral epicondyle

Question 14

Craniocaudal Elbow Radiography Collimation

Answer 14

○ Whole of the elbow
○ Distal 1/3 of the humerus
○ Proximal 1/3 of the radius/ulna