Positioning the lower limb for 3D scanning

There are different ways to position the limb to create a scan.

In this article, we will describe the most frequent positions of the lower limb to ensure a great scan.

Keep in mind to remove clothing in any position described below.

Position 1 - Prone position 1 (non-weighted)

The patient is lying in prone position on the treatment table. The limb that needs to be scanned is in 90° knee-flexion and 90° dorsiflexion. Gravity will have a positive effect on creating the 90° dorsiflexion in the ankle.

Note: Position can be used to create any model of the lower leg.

Position 2 - Prone position 2 (non-weighted)

The patient is lying in prone position on the treatment table with the lower legs over the edge of the table and the knees just over the edge. Keep the leg that will not be scanned in flexion. The other limb (to be scanned) can hang over the edge, fully stretched and with a 90° dorsiflexion of the ankle. This time gravity will have a positive effect on the extension of the knee in the leg that needs to be scanned.

Note: Position can be used to create any model of the lower leg.

Position 3 - Foot stand, sitting position (weighted).

Seat the patient comfortably either on an ordinary chair or in their wheelchair. Put a see-through foot-stand in front of the patient. Working with a stand will give you a weighted measurement of the foot, by flattening out the sole of the foot. The stand will make it easier to put the ankle exactly at a 90° angle, put pressure on the sole so the foot will go more in a pronated stand and allow you to scan the sole without having to merch two scans together. It will also be easier for the patient to maintain the correct position of 90° dorsiflexion and pronation of the foot and ankle.

Tip: If you place the stand closer to the patient, the knee will be bent more, making it easier to put more dorsiflexion in the ankle and make it easier to get that 90° angle.

Position can be used to create any model of the lower leg.

Tip: If you place the stand further away from the patient, the flexion in the knee will decrease, making this position a more desirable position to make a scan of the knee.

Position can be used to create any type of knee brace.

Position 4 - Foot stand, knee scan (weighted)

The patient is seated on the treatment table. Place a foot-stand on the table and place the foot of the limb that will be scanned (as shown on the picture below). By placing the foot on the stand the leg will be lifted of the table so you will be able to take a scan of the full limb.

Note: Position can be used to create any type of knee brace