Patella Sunrise on Digital Radiography equipment

Sunrise Axial Patella. No Table? No Problem.

With the transition to digital, many things are changing. Even how we approach positioning. In this situation our biggest challenge is that we do not have a table. This is a U arm Digital Radiography machine and the following is how we have approached to get a diagnostic axial patella view. Have the patient sit in a chair and make sure that back is all the way against the bucky. The tube should be at 72" from the bucky and there should be about a 10 degree tilt on the tube. Place a an object such as a stool in under the tube, and have the patient put the arches of their feet on it, forcing an adequate bend to the knees. The centering point is between the knees right at the level of the femoropatellar joint. Then, place the detector onto their lap and have them hold on to it at the top with both hands. Tip: Have them slightly tilt it forward, depending on how much angle you put on the tube. If all goes well, the femoropatellar joint is visualized clearly!

Does anyone else do this differently?