Three-dimensional Computer-assisted Modeling of Talus Morphology in Chinese Patients

Abstract

Objective: To provide more accurate reference data for the assessment and treatment of talar injuries by constructing 3-D computer-assisted models of the talus and comparing them with reference data obtained from measurements on cadaver specimens. Methods: Three-dimensional talus models were constructed from CT data recorded for healthy Chinese volunteers using SuperImage Orthopedics software. Structural variables such as length, width, height and volume of talus were compared using the Fisher least significant difference test to determine the significance of bilateral or sex-specific differences in the study cohort. Results: Measurement data were normally distributed. No significant difference between the left and right talus in either men or women was identified for any measurement (P > 0.05). The bilateral mean volume of the talus in men (37.87 ± 6.69 mm) was significantly larger than that in women (26.95 ± 5.73 mm; P < 0.05). Although the dimensions of most of the structural features and articular surfaces of the talus were significantly larger in men than in women (P < 0.05), no significant differences in the angles of the talar neck and head were observed between men and women in our cohort (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our method of 3-D model construction provided precise measurements of the structural features of the talus. The talar dimensions in our Chinese study cohort differ from those previously reported for people of different ethnic groups. Our models should provide accurate reference data for constructing models based on CT images for the assessment and treatment of talar injuries in Chinese patients.