PA OBLIQUE HAND PROJECTION
45° oblique view for three-dimensional evaluation of the carpus and metacarpals
Proyección PA Oblicua de Mano - Vista 1
Proyección PA Oblicua de Mano - Vista 2
Exposure Factors
45-55
Kilovoltage (kV)
2-4
mAs
100 cm
Distance (SID)
Fine
Focal Spot
No
Grid (Bucky)
Patient Positioning
Place the hand in prone position on the image receptor.
Rotate the hand laterally 45° (use a foam wedge if needed).
Separate fingers slightly to avoid overlapping of soft tissues.
The thumb should be in a natural oblique or lateral position.
Rotation Check: The 3rd, 4th, and 5th metacarpals should show partial overlap, while the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal heads are separated.
Central Ray
3rd MCP Joint
Location: Perpendicular to the third metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint.
Visible Anatomy
Metacarpals
Entire length visualized from 1st to 5th.
Joints
Open IP and MCP joint spaces.
Carpus
Evaluation of the distal carpal row.
Clinical Indications
- Fractures of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th metacarpals.
- Localization of foreign bodies.
- Evaluation of osteoarthritic changes.
- Joint space narrowing or erosions.