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XR Knee

XRNo contrastMSK
Indications
  • Knee pain/trauma
  • Suspected fracture
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Effusion
  • Loose body
  • Postoperative/hardware evaluation
Patient prep
  • Remove radiopaque objects; gown if needed
Contrast
None / non-contrast
Technique
  • AP: supine or weight-bearing, CR perpendicular (or 3-5 deg cephalad) ~0.5 inch distal to patellar apex; for weight-bearing AP, CR horizontal to knee joint
  • Lateral: lateral recumbent, knee flexed 20-30 deg, CR 5-7 deg cephalad to ~1 inch distal to medial epicondyle
  • SID 40 inches; kVp ~60-70; tabletop (grid for larger knees)
Series / Sequences
#Series / SequencePlaneNotes
1APFrontalCR 0-5 deg cephalad to point 0.5 inch below patellar apex; include distal femur and proximal tib/fib
2LateralSagittalKnee flexed 20-30 deg, CR 5-7 deg cephalad; superimpose femoral condyles
Key points
  • Weight-bearing (standing) AP +/- bilateral for osteoarthritis assessment of joint space
  • Internal and external oblique views for tibial plateau or subtle fractures
  • Intercondylar fossa (tunnel/Rosenberg) view for loose bodies and notch
  • Sunrise/Merchant (axial patella) view for patellofemoral joint and patellar fractures
References
• Bontrager's Handbook - Knee
• Merrill's Atlas Vol 1 - Lower Limb
• Radiopaedia: Knee series link
Source: Researched — verify against your institution
‹ PreviousXR Humerus
Reference template — verify and adapt to your scanner, vendor and institution before clinical use. Not a substitute for clinical judgment.