Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) in foot and ankle surgery

Abstract

Foot and ankle surgery at the end of the twentieth century was characterized by the use of sophisticated computerized preoperative and postoperative diagnostic and planning procedures [1-3]. However, intraoperative computerized tools that assist the surgeon during his or her struggle for the planned optimal operative result are missing. This results in an intraoperative “black box” without optimal visualization, guidance, and biomechanical assessment [2]. The future will be characterized by breaking up this intraoperative “black box.” We will have more intraoperative tools to achieve the planned result [2, 3]. Intraoperative three-dimensional (3D) imaging (ISO-C-3D), computer-assisted surgery (CAS), and intraoperative pedography (IP) are three possible innovations to realize the planned procedure intraoperatively [3]. These devices might be especially helpful for minimally invasive surgery.