Trauma oblique radiographs of the knee

Special trauma oblique radiographs of the knee were designed for the purpose of demonstrating the patella radiographically in a manner that would free it from the shadow of the distal end of the femur. These radiographs are made by directing the x-ray tube at an angle of 45 degrees and making two exposures, with the film placed first on the lateral and then on the medial side of the injured knee. These two radiographs have been found to be useful for delineating the extent of fractures of the patella as well as abnormalities of the tibial plateau.