Which area should be included during collimation for a Lateral Foot X-ray?

Collimation is a critical aspect of radiographic technique as it helps to ensure that only the area of interest is exposed to the X-ray beam, thus minimizing patient exposure to radiation and enhancing image quality. For a lateral foot X-ray, it's important to cover various anatomical structures that fall within the lateral view of the foot.

Including the distal tibia-fibula, calcaneus, and tips of the toes in the collimation field is essential because this ensures that you capture both the bones of the lower leg and all the critical components of the foot in a single image. This comprehensive coverage allows for the assessment of the alignment and integrity of the foot and its relationships to the distal leg structures.

Focusing solely on the calcaneus or other narrow areas would not provide sufficient visual information about the entire foot, which is necessary for diagnosing any potential fractures, dislocations, or other pathologies. Therefore, the inclusion of the distal tibia-fibula, calcaneus, and tips of the toes not only follows the correct protocols for effective imaging but also promotes thorough evaluation during clinical assessments.