The value of axial loading three dimensional (3D) CT as a substitute for full weightbearing (standing) 3D CT: Comparison of reproducibility according to degree of load

Weightbearing (WB) plain radiographs are a basic imaging tool to assess alignment and joint space for foot and ankle diseases [1] such as flat foot, hallux valgus, impingement of the tibiotalar joint or subtalar joint, and osteoarthritis. However, bony pathologies are often difficult to visualize due to superimposition of multiple adjacent bones that form the complex skeletal structure [2]. Three dimensional (3D) imaging with conventional computed tomography (CT) allows for the exact analysis of 3D data that are not influenced by projection and/or foot orientation but lack WB [3 –5].
Source: Foot and Ankle Surgery - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Source Type: research