X-ray procedure of the straight heel bone

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Thi Hau - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

There are many causes of pain in the heel bone, accurate and timely diagnosis of the pathology helps patients reduce the risk of dangerous complications later. During the diagnosis, the patient is assigned to take an X-ray of the heel bone when experiencing symptoms such as:
Suspected fracture The area near the heel is swollen, severe pain Fever, dull pain in the heel bone and heel, numbness or tingling Patient has difficulty walking Difficulty moving the flexed foot or standing on tiptoes

In order for the straight calcaneal X-ray procedure to take place in the correct technique and bring accurate results, the following preparations are required:
2.1 Performer Specialist Doctor Radiologist 2.2 Equipment Specialized X-ray machine Film, film printer, storage system Appropriate shielding X-ray order sheet and patient results sheet 2.3 Patient When performing an X-ray of the calcaneus or any type of X-ray Which patient should accurately report his or her condition? For example, whether you are pregnant or not so that the medical staff can have an appropriate treatment plan. Should remove jewelry, metal objects near the heel bone if it affects the technique. Prepare mentally, remember the advice of doctors as well as medical staff.

The medical staff receives the order form from the patient, instructs and explains to the patient clearly the procedure of X-ray of the straight calcaneus. Adjust the shooting table, the ball is 1m away from the film. The patient was instructed to sit or lie on the imaging table with the painful heel bone in close contact with the film, with the foot erect, and the tarsal joint in the center of the film. Adjust the foot so that the sole of the foot is perpendicular to the film surface. Central beam adjustment: The central ray is at an angle of 40 degrees, the ray will enter the sole of the foot where the tip is near the 5th metatarsal bone and penetrate out the bottom of the tarsal joint. The film is labeled with the letter (T) or (F) corresponding to the left or right foot, taking X-ray of the straight heel. Medical staff enter patient information into the system and select the appropriate program on the machine. Adjust technical factors (50kv, 20mAs). During a straight heel X-ray, the patient is asked to remain still. After the scan, the patient was directed to the waiting room for the results. The technician adjusts the contrast, checks the balance of the images on the film, prints the film and compares it with the satisfactory film.

Film criteria: A standard film is a film that clearly shows the posterior calcaneus, the calcaneus shape is not shortened. Beam quality: sharpness, clear contrast, ray clearly shows bone ridges, trabecular and soft shading. The film has full patient information, symbol (T) (F), date of capture. The therapist reads the calcaneus injury to the patient, describes and prints the results. After receiving the result sheet, the direct examination doctor will read the film and give professional advice to the patient.

Normally, X-ray of the heel straight foot has no complications. There are some mistakes that have to be repeated such as: The patient does not keep the heel bone position during the scan, the heel bone does not reveal the image clearly, .. Master. Doctor. Vu Thi Hau has many years of experience in the field of diagnostic imaging including magnetic resonance, CT and ultrasound. Graduated from Hanoi Medical University in 2014 with a BSNT and trained in France for 1 year. Currently engaged in the field of diagnosis of neurological, head and neck, ear - bone, musculoskeletal, digestive and urological diseases.
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