In a lateral oblique rotation knee radiograph, how should the patient's leg be positioned?

For a lateral oblique rotation knee radiograph, the correct positioning of the patient's leg requires the leg to be rotated outward. This outward rotation aligns the knee joint in such a way that the medial and lateral aspects of the knee are well visualized.

When the leg is rotated outward, the structures of the knee, including the fibula, tibia, and femur, can be clearly differentiated. This positioning allows for optimal viewing of potential bony abnormalities or joint problems, such as fractures or degenerative changes.

Other positioning options, such as inward rotation or flexing the knee, would not provide the necessary visualization of the joint surfaces and might obscure critical anatomical details. Additionally, keeping the leg extended straight does not achieve the optimal angles necessary for the lateral oblique view. Therefore, outward rotation is essential for capturing a diagnostic radiograph of the knee in the appropriate lateral oblique view.