Journal of computer assisted tomography
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J Comput Assist Tomogr · Mar 1992
CT measurement of the calcaneal varus angle in the normal and fractured hindfoot.
The calcaneal varus angle is an important parameter used by orthopedic surgeons in their assessment of calcaneal fractures, and restoration of this angle is a major goal in the intraoperative reduction of such fractures. Plain radiographic techniques for the measurement of this angle may be difficult to apply. It is much simpler to measure this angle on CT, which is superior in demonstrating the complex anatomy of the calcaneus. ⋯ These measurements provide preliminary normative data for three methods of estimating the calcaneal varus angle in the normal and fractured hindfoot. These may be of value not only in the surgical restoration of the normal anatomic alignment of the fractured hindfoot but also in the preoperative assessment of congenital foot abnormalities. Although clinical validation is not yet available, our study suggests that the axial calcaneocuboid angle has several significant advantages over the other two methods.