Hand and wrist

Patient and part

Seat the patient at the end of the table, elbow flexed 90 degrees. For the PA hand, the palm lies flat on the IR with the fingers slightly spread. For the PA oblique, rotate the hand 45 degrees laterally with the fingers on a step sponge, parallel to the IR. For the lateral, put the ulnar side down. A fan lateral spreads the fingers to show each phalanx, and a lateral in extension shows metacarpals and foreign bodies. For the PA wrist, arch the hand slightly so the carpals touch the IR. The PA oblique wrist uses 45 degrees of lateral rotation, and the lateral wrist is ulnar side down.