Effects of Plastic Wedges on Whole Foot Radiograph in Anteroposterior and Oblique Positions

The whole foot radiography may be taken twice with different exposure parameters. It produces two images in two radiation exposures; one is the metatarsal view of the phalange and the other is a tarsal view. The aim of this study was to study the effects of plastic wedges on whole foot radiography with one radiation exposure. The plastic wedge was developed from plastic wood. Whole foot phantom radiographic imaging was created in anteroposterior and oblique positions with and without plastic wedges mounted on the collimator of an X-ray machine. A radiation imaging plate was used as a transmitted-radiation receptor. The radiation exposure parameter was 54 kilo-voltage at 100 milliamperes for 0.02 sec. The results showed that the resolution of whole foot phantom radiographic imaging in both anteroposterior and oblique positions with plastic wedge mounted on a collimator of an X-ray machine was better than without plastic wedge mounted on collimator. Percentage of Coefficient Variance (%CV) of pixel value on radiographic imaging with plastic wedge mounted on collimator was less than without plastic wedge mounted on collimator. This finding suggests that plastic wedges can help improve image quality of whole foot radiography with one radiation exposure.