Tibia and fibula series

The tibia/fibula is comprised of an anteroposterior (AP), and lateral radiograph. The series is often used in emergency departments to evaluate the entirety of the tibia and fibula after trauma.

Indications

The tibia/fibula radiographs are performed for a variety of indications including:

• trauma
• obvious deformity following major midshaft impaction 
• suspected foreign body 
• inability to weight bear
• osteomyelitis 

Projections

Standard projections

• AP
  • demonstrates the lower limb in the natural anatomical position
• lateral
  • projection 90° to the AP  view
  • must include both the knee and ankle joint

Modified trauma projections

• horizontal beam lateral 
  • a modified projection 90° to the AP  view
  • demonstrates lower limb in a lateral profile 
  • must include both the knee and ankle joint

Additional projections

Dedicated joint views should be performed if there is suspicion of an occult knee or ankle injury.

Related Radiopaedia articles

Radiographic views

• imaging in practice
• paediatric radiography
• general radiography (adult)
  • radiographic positioning and terminology
  • systematic radiographic technical evaluation
• shunt series
• chest radiography
  • PA view
  • lateral view
  • AP erect view
  • supine view
  • lordotic view
  • lateral decubitus view
  • expiratory chest radiograph
  • sternum lateral view
  • sternum oblique view
  • ribs AP view
  • ribs PA view
  • ribs oblique view
• abdominal radiography
  • acute abdominal series
  • AP supine view
  • PA erect view
  • abdomen (KUB view)
  • lateral decubitus view
  • dorsal decubitus view
  • PA prone view
  • lateral view
  • oblique views
• upper limb radiography
  • shoulder girdle radiography
    • scapula series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
      • coracoid view
    • shoulder series
      • AP view
      • internal rotation view
      • external rotation view
      • superoinferior axial view
      • inferosuperior axial view
      • modified trauma axial
      • supine lateral
      • modified supine lateral
      • Y lateral view
      • AP glenoid view (Grashey view)
      • apical oblique view (Garth view)
      • humerus (neck) AP view
      • humerus axial (bicipital groove) view (Fisk view)
      • outlet view (Neer view)
      • Stryker notch view
    • acromioclavicular joint series
      • AP view
      • arm abducted view
      • AP weight bearing view
      • Zanca view
    • clavicle series
      • AP view
      • axial view
      • oblique view
    • sternoclavicular joint series
      • PA view
      • oblique view
      • serendipity view
  • arm and forearm radiography
    • humerus series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
    • elbow series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
      • supracondylar AP view
      • acute flexion AP
      • Coyle's view
      • external oblique view
      • medial oblique view
    • forearm series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
      • PA view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
  • wrist and hand radiography
    • wrist series
      • PA view
      • lateral view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
      • oblique view
      • carpal tunnel view
      • trapezium view
      • pisiform view
      • PA radial deviation view
      • carpal bridge view
    • scaphoid series
      • PA view
      • PA axial view
      • oblique view
      • lateral view
      • clenched fist view
    • hand series
      • PA view
      • DP oblique view
      • lateral view
      • ball-catcher view (Norgaard view)
    • thumb series
      • AP/PA view
      • lateral view
      • oblique view
    • fingers series
      • PA view
      • lateral view
      • oblique view
    • rheumatology hands series
      • both hands PA view
      • ball-catcher view (Norgaard view)
    • bone age series
• lower limb radiography
  • pelvic girdle radiography
    • pelvis series
      • AP view
      • outlet view
      • inlet view
      • oblique acetabular view (Judet view)
      • flamingo view
    • hip series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
      • Clements-Nakayama view
      • frog leg view
      • Dunn view
      • Von Rosen view
    • sacroiliac joint series
      • AP view
      • PA view
      • PA oblique view
      • AP oblique view
  • thigh and leg radiography
    • femur series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
    • knee series
      • AP view
      • oblique view
      • lateral view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
      • AP weight-bearing view
      • intercondylar view
      • Rosenberg view
      • skyline Laurine view
      • skyline Merchant view
    • tibia/fibula series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
  • ankle and foot radiography
    • ankle series
      • AP view
      • AP mortise view
      • lateral view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
      • AP stress views
    • foot series
      • DP view
      • oblique view
      • lateral view
      • weightbearing DP view
      • weightbearing lateral view
    • calcaneus series
      • axial view
      • lateral view
    • toes series
      • AP view
      • oblique view
      • lateral view
      • sesamoid view
• skull radiography
  • PA view
  • AP view
  • lateral view
  • AP axial view (Towne view)
  • PA axial view (Caldwell view)
  • occipitomental view (Waters view)
  • acanthioparietal view (reverse waters view)
  • occipitomental 30º view (Titterington view)
  • submentovertex (SMV) view
• paranasal sinuses and facial bones radiography
  • facial bones
    • lateral view
    • Waters view
  • Caldwell view (angled skull PA view)
  • nasal bones
    • lateral view
    • Waters view
    • axial view
  • zygomatic arches
    • submentovertex (SMV) view
    • oblique view
    • Waters view
    • AP axial view
  • orbits
    • parieto-orbital view
    • Waters view
  • paranasal sinuses
    • lateral view
    • PA angled view (Caldwell view)
    • parietocanthal view (Waters view)
    • transoral parietocanthal view (open mouth Waters view)
    • submentovertex (SMV) view
  • temporal bones
    • axiolateral oblique view
    • AP axial view
    • Stenvers view
    • modified Stenvers view
    • submentovertex (SMV) view
• dental radiography
  • orthopantomography (OPG)
  • mandible
    • axiolateral view
    • AP/PA view
    • AP axial view
    • submentovertex (SMV) view
  • temporomandibular joints
    • AP axial view
    • axiolateral view
    • axiolateral oblique view
• spine radiography
  • cervical spine radiography
    • AP view
    • lateral view
    • AP oblique view
    • PA oblique view
    • cervicothoracic view (swimmer's view)
    • AP open mouth odontoid view
    • AP closed mouth odontoid view (Fuchs view)
    • lateral flexion and extension views
  • thoracic spine radiography
    • AP view
    • lateral view
    • oblique view
  • lumbar spine series
    • AP view
    • lateral view
    • oblique view
    • lateral flexion and extension views
  • sacrococcygeal radiography
    • sacrum AP view
    • coccyx AP view
    • lateral view
  • scoliosis radiography
    • PA/AP view
    • erect lateral view
    • lateral bending view