For a medial oblique foot radiograph, how many degrees should the patient's foot be rotated?

For a medial oblique foot radiograph, the foot should be rotated approximately 30 degrees. This rotation aligns the structures of the foot to allow for optimal visualization of the midfoot and forefoot bones, including the cuboid and the fifth metatarsal.

In radiographic practice, a 30-degree rotation is typically recommended because it provides a good compromise between displaying the necessary anatomical features while minimizing the distortion of adjacent structures. This angle effectively opens up the lateral aspects of the foot, allowing for clearer imaging of potential fractures or other pathologies.

Optimizing the angle of rotation is crucial for producing a diagnostic-quality image, and understanding the rationale behind the chosen angle can help in acquiring better radiographs in clinical settings.