Standardizing 3 Dimensional Measurements in Foot and Ankle Imaging: A Contemporary Review and Methodological Proposal

Authors

• Karen M. Kruger, Marquette UniversityFollow
• Amy L. Lenz, University of Utah
• Kevin N. Dibbern, University of Nebraska Medical Center
• Cesar de Cesar Netto, Duke University
• William R. Ledoux, University of Washington
• Eric D. Thorhauer, University of Washington
• Arne Burssens, Ghent University
• Sorin Siegler, Drexel University
• Michael J. Rainbow, Queen's University
• Lauren Welte, University of Alberta
• Andrew C. Peterson, University of Utah
• Michele Conconi, University of Bologna
• David E. Williams, Cardiff University
• Tom Turmezei, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals
• Philip Hansen, University of Copenhagen
• François Lintz, Centre de Chirurgie de la Cheville et du Pied
• Alberto Leardini, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2025

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Foot and Ankle Clinics

Source ISSN

1083-7515

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1016/j.fcl.2024.08.006

Abstract

Increasing utilization of WBCT and fluoroscopy have created the need for standardization of 3D measurements in the foot and ankle. These emerging imaging modalities are currently used to evaluate conditions in the foot and ankle including ankle osteoarthritis, progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD), midfoot instability, and hallux valgus. While there is increased research and clinical activity using these technologies, there are no commonly accepted 3D definitions of foot and ankle bone axes and their orientations, nor commonly accepted methodologies for calculating geometrical relationships between these bones. This paper aims first to provide a comprehensive review of clinical studies that have utilized these 3D methodologies. As a second goal, this paper will present the methodological approach proposed by an international task force of experts towards addressing those concerns to provide validated guidelines for 3D reference frames and bone static and dynamic measurements. Current methodologies utilized in many papers in this review are set forth by commercial companies. These methods have not been validated or standardized and there are no white papers that describe the methods utilized to perform these 3D measures. To address the problem of clinical work being performed utilizing 3D bone measurements from WBCT data with methods that are not validated or standardized, a task force of orthopaedic surgeons, engineers, and radiologists was established to work towards an internationally accepted 3D measurement methodology. The task force aims to establish widely accepted criteria for these standards, determine relevant measures of importance, review the literature, and when appropriate, develop new methodologies.

Comments

Foot and Ankle Clinics, Vol. 30, No. 1 (March 2025): 221-237. DOI.

Recommended Citation

Kruger, Karen M.; Lenz, Amy L.; Dibbern, Kevin N.; Netto, Cesar de Cesar; Ledoux, William R.; Thorhauer, Eric D.; Burssens, Arne; Siegler, Sorin; Rainbow, Michael J.; Welte, Lauren; Peterson, Andrew C.; Conconi, Michele; Williams, David E.; Turmezei, Tom; Hansen, Philip; Lintz, François; and Leardini, Alberto, "Standardizing 3 Dimensional Measurements in Foot and Ankle Imaging: A Contemporary Review and Methodological Proposal" (2025). Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications. 771.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bioengin_fac/771