In a medial oblique foot radiograph, the foot is rotated by how many degrees?

• A. 30 degrees
• B. 15 degrees
• C. 45 degrees
• D. 60 degrees

Answer: (A)

Rotating the foot medially about 30 degrees from the AP position creates a medial oblique view that optimally reduces bone overlap while keeping the anatomy recognizable. This 30-degree angle opens up the spaces between the metatarsals and reveals key structures such as the navicular, cuboid, and tarsal joints without distorting their relationships. If you rotate only 15 degrees, there’s still too much overlap and you won’t get a clear view of those interspaces. If you go much farther, like 45 or 60 degrees, the projection becomes an exaggerated oblique, which can distort the joints and make comparisons with standard views less reliable. So, 30 degrees medially provides the best balance for assessing the midfoot and hindfoot anatomy in this projection.