Reproducibility of newly developed spinal topography measurements for scoliosis.

Objective: In an effort to limit exposure to ionizing radiation and fully characterize three dimensional changes in the spine of patients with scoliosis reliable non-invasive methods of spinal back contour analysis (Milwaukee Topographic Scanner) (MTS) have been developed.

Study Design: The current study compares spinal topography measurements among different subject positions and evaluates the reproducibility of the system for both inter-rater and intra-rater reliability.

Methods: A dummy cast (plastic cast) of one patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was created in order to test the reliability of the MTS.

Motion of the multisegmental foot in hallux valgus.

Background: Hallux valgus is a common condition characterized by lateral deviation of the large toe and medial deviation of the first metatarsal. While some gait analyses of patients with hallux valgus have been performed using plantar pressures, very little is known about the kinematics of gait in this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate triplanar kinematics in patients with hallux valgus using a multisegmental foot model.

Multisegmental foot modeling: a review.

Over the past two decades, a number of multisegmental foot models have been developed in order to characterize foot kinematics. This paper reviews methods of multisegmental foot modeling, technical elements of the models, select clinical applications of the models, and future directions in this area of research. Technical areas discussed include angular derotation mechanisms and capture technology.