Evaluation of computer-aided design software methods for assessment of the three-dimensional geometry of the canine radius

OBJECTIVE To describe methods to measure the 3-D orientation of the proximal, diaphyseal, and distal segments of the canine radius by use of computer-aided design software (CADS) and to compare the repeatability and reliability of measurements derived by those methods. SAMPLE 31 canine radii with biapical deformities and 24 clinically normal (control) canine radii. PROCEDURES Select CT scans of radii were imported into a CADS program. Cartesian coordinate systems for the humerus and proximal, diaphyseal, and distal radial segments were developed. The orientation of each radial segment in the frontal, sagittal, and transverse planes was measured in triplicate by 3 methods. The repeatability and reliability of those measurements were calculated and compared among the 3 measurement methods. RESULTS The mean +/- SD within-subject repeatability of radial angular measurements for all 3 methods was 1.40 +/- 0.67 degrees in the frontal plane, 3.17 +/- 2.21 degrees in the sagittal plane, and 3.01 +/- 1.11 degrees in the transverse plane for control radii and 2.56 +/- 1.95 degrees in the frontal plane. 3.59 +/- 2.39 degrees in the sagittal plane, and 3.47 +/- 1.19 degrees in the transverse plane for abnormal radii. Mean +/- SD bias between radial measurement methods was 1.88 +/- 2.07 degrees in the frontal plane, 6.44 +/- 6.80 degrees in the sagittal plane, and 2.27 +/- 2.81 degrees in the transverse plane. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that use of CADS to assess the 3-D orientation of the proximal, diaphyseal, and distal segments of normal and abnormal canine radii yielded highly repeatable and reliable measurements.