Background: The use of external fixators to treat foot and ankle deformities remains a challenge in orthopedic surgery due to their diversity. We hope to improve the automation and accuracy of the correction process.
Methods: A three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) electromotor-driven external fixator for uniplanar foot and ankle deformities was proposed. Computer-assisted correction software was developed to help surgeons use digital technology to measure the required parameters from patients' X-ray radiographs. The correction trajectory and the prescriptions were generated in the software based on the proposed correction strategy.
Results: Two clinical cases were simulated to verify the correction ability of the developed external fixator. The results showed that the angular and displacement deformities were well corrected.
Conclusions: The developed external fixator can accurately and automatically correct foot and ankle deformities with the help of computer-assisted correction software, which significantly reduces the burden on surgeons and patients.
Keywords: automatic correction; correction trajectory; digital measurement; electromotor-driven external fixator; foot and ankle deformity.
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