Validating the process of taking lateral foot x-rays

This study validates the concept that a standard (static) weightbearing lateral x-ray, taken with an orthoposer device, in the patient's angle and base of gait is clinically similar to findings seen during ambulatory (dynamic) gait. Sixty female subjects requiring diagnostic x-rays underwent videofluoroscopy of their walking gait. Using a single-frame, shuttle-advance video recorder, the appropriate fluoroscopic video frame was identified. The calcaneal pitch angle was measured using a digitized program. A high repeatability of the measuring process and high correlation between x-ray and fluoroscopic results suggest the value of taking weightbearing angle and base of gait lateral x-rays.