Question

An ER stretcher patient's leg is medially rotated 15 degrees; the leg cannot be moved. Do you angle the tube 30 degrees medially or laterally to open up the proximal tibia articulation?

Answer 1

Angle the tube laterally by 30 degrees to properly open up the proximal tibia articulation for a medially rotated leg that cannot be moved.

Step-by-step explanation:

To open up the proximal tibia articulation for an ER stretcher patient whose leg is medially rotated 15 degrees and cannot be moved, you would angle the tube laterally by 30 degrees. This is because the internal rotation of the leg has moved the proximal tibia closer to the midline of the body, and to visualize the articulation properly under X-ray, you need to compensate for this by directing the X-ray beam from the opposite side to ensure an accurate and clear image of the articulation. This would help in diagnosing and treating any potential issues such as fractures or dislocations.