Three-Dimensional Morphologic Analysis of Foot Deformities Using Weightbearing CT and Semiautomated Segmentation Technique

Recent increases in life expectancy have been accompanied by a growing prevalence of foot deformities, leading to increased clinical interest in their diagnosis and treatment. However, conventional radiography and computed tomography (CT) have inherent limitations in accurately evaluating the complex three-dimensional (3D) morphology of foot deformities, including flatfoot deformity and cavovarus deformity. These limitations may hinder precise characterization of deformity patterns and complicate surgical decision making. To address these challenges, substantial efforts have recently been directed toward the development of advanced imaging and analytic techniques. Weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT) combined with a semiautomated segmentation technique has emerged as a promising modality for the 3D assessment of normal foot anatomy and pathologic deformities. Recent studies have demonstrated the clinical utility of these technologies in improving deformity characterization, quantitative morphologic analysis, and preoperative planning. This review summarizes the current literature regarding 3D morphologic analysis of foot deformities using WBCT and semiautomated segmentation software, provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary imaging-based analytic techniques, and discusses their potential clinical applications and future directions in foot and ankle surgery.