Limb radiograph — two orthogonal views
Region of interest including the joint above and below where relevant
When to use it
- Suspected fracture or dislocation.
- Bone pain, suspected bone lesion.
Technique
- Two orthogonal projections minimum; a single view misses undisplaced fractures.
Where it goes wrong
- A normal radiograph does not exclude an occult fracture — scaphoid, hip and stress fractures classically need MRI or delayed imaging.
Clinical questions that reach this study
Suspected scaphoid fracture with normal radiographsSuspected stress or insufficiency fractureSuspected septic arthritis (including the acutely limping child)Suspected osteomyelitis (excluding spine)Soft tissue mass — characterisationChronic shoulder pain — suspected rotator cuff tear or impingementSuspected labral tear — shoulder instability or femoroacetabular impingementSuspected internal derangement of the kneeSuspected bone metastases
Contrast
None
Acquisition
Safety checks this protocol carries
Derived from the contrast agent and phases above, not authored here — which is why they cannot drift apart from what the protocol actually does.
- Child-sized technique and contrast dose· radiographer at scan