Multimedia 3D clinical planning system for simulation of internal fixation surgery for calcaneal collapse

This study presents a multimedia 3D clinical planning system that simulates internal fixation surgery for calcaneal collapse. The system uses full-scale computer-assisted engineering techniques in the designing and development of preoperative planning modules. The planning system not only displays a full-sized 3D image of the calcaneus but also provides detailed interior measurements of the calcaneus from various cutting planes. The multimedia user interface integrates the functions of several different software programs to plan and simulate an operation. These functions include 3D image model capturing, sectioning, translocation, rotation, and measurement of relevant foot anatomy; all these functions can be integrated and used for surgical planning. The system also has an enormous databank that is updatable and expandable. The databank can store numerous clinical cases to meet the needs of diverse medical professionals for future study.