Ten step procedure for correct stifle radiographs:

1. Patients require good sedation or light GA for optimal radiographs
2. Place patient in lateral recumbency with the leg to be x-rayed down against the table
3. Align patients back so it is parallel to the long edge of the x-ray table
4.  Place x-ray plate lateral to the stifle with both stifle and hock on the plate
5. Collimate the x-ray beam so it is a rectangle, narrow and long, so that the long edge is parallel to the long edge of the x-ray table
6. Hold the hind leg flexed with the hip at 90 degrees, the stifle at 90 degrees and hock at 90 degrees. The tibia will be parallel to the spine and the long edge of the table
7. Centre the x-ray beam over the stifle joint. This may not be possible on larger dogs. The centre of the beam will not be on the centre of the plate
8. Label x-ray 
9. Take exposure 
10. Check radiographs include the following:
    • The distal femur, stifle and hock joint
    • The stifle joint space is visible
    • The intercondylar eminence's are overlapping