Computer-assisted measurements based on polygonal modeling for customized the calcaneus plate design

The calcaneal fractures normally occur due to high-energy impact and 75% of these fractures are considered complex injuries. A patient-specific implant is not economically practical in production and has to deal with the patient anatomical contour bone surface. In addition, the ideal fitting of calcaneus plate for the Indonesian local patient and oversize plate implant are other issues. In this study, the bone morphological features of three-dimensional (3D) measurement are used to facilitate the customized plate design. The purpose of this paper is to find the geometric dimension of calcaneal plates and to develop a workflow for redesigning plate implants. The calcaneus bone was digitally reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) images of non-fractured injuries patients. A total of 37 anatomical landmarks were digitized on the polygonal surface modeling of the calcaneus. The computer-assisted measurement was employed to find the reliable length and width as well as other calcaneus morphometrical parameters. The computer-aided design tool platform was used for the design and simulation of plate implants. The result of this study provides a series of geometry data for design performing and fitting the plate implants to the surrounding surface of the fractured calcaneus. The customized implant design was reconstructed following the standard lateral plates to prevent the oversized implanted plate design. The paper describes a feasibility approach to measure specific calcaneus geometry and the information used in the design process for the reconstruction of calcaneus plate implants.