Diagnostic imaging is a subspeciality in which Nurses and Techs can take responsibility and be proud of their work in a truly meaningful way. Contributing to more accurate surgical measurements leads to better surgical outcomes and happier patients and surgeons. I am a registered veterinary technician with a VTS in diagnostic imaging with a passion for sharing improved and practical imaging techniques any clinic can adopt. I am driven to promote the role nurses and techs can play in the clinical environment by lightening the load for veterinarians in an industry already stretched to its limits, and to improve career satisfaction for veterinary para-professionals.

Many orthopaedic surgical procedures require precise and accurate peri-operative imaging. Usually achieved with radiography, this requires in depth knowledge of the skeletal anatomy of the area to be imaged and the principles of x-ray production to position with precision. Getting the perfect image every time can be tricky thanks to natural variation in patient size and shape, but with the fundamentals well understood, any nurse or tech will be able to adjust their approach for even the most finnicky of surgeons. With a focus on hands free imaging, we will discuss routine positioning, common adjustments required for particular patient types and how to best asses your image to confirm quality. This presentation will aim to leave you with new practical skills to implement in your own clinics.