Software for use with deformity correction

A method of planning for correcting a deformed bone of a patient, the method comprising:

• prior to coupling an external fixation frame to the patient:
• displaying on a first display device a first representation of a first segment of the deformed bone and a first representation of a second segment of the deformed bone;
• manipulating a position of the first representation of the first segment relative to a position of the first representation of the second segment to match an actual position of the first segment of the deformed bone with respect to an actual position of the second segment of the deformed bone;
• displaying a first model of a first fixation ring of the external fixation frame on the first display device overlying the first representation of the first segment in a first ring position;
• displaying a first model of a second fixation ring of the external fixation frame on the first display device overlying the first representation of the second segment in a second ring position;
• determining, based on the first ring position and the second ring position, at least one combination of sizes of a plurality of model struts to connect the first models of the first and second fixation rings;
• and
• generating a first pre-operative correction plan;
• and
• after (i) coupling the first fixation ring of the external fixation frame to the first segment of the deformed bone in an actual first ring position, (ii) coupling the second fixation ring of the external fixation frame to the second segment of the deformed bone in an actual second ring position, and (iii) coupling the first fixation ring to the second fixation ring with a plurality of struts having actual sizes and positions:
• displaying on a second display device a second representation of the first segment of the deformed bone and a second representation of the second segment of the deformed bone;
• manipulating a position of the second representation of the first segment relative to a position of the second representation of the second segment to match the actual position of the first segment of the deformed bone with respect to the actual position of the second segment of the deformed bone;
• displaying a second model of the first fixation ring on the second display device overlying the second representation of the first segment so that a position of the second model of the first fixation ring matches the actual first ring position;
• displaying a plurality of model struts on the second display, the plurality of model struts having sizes and positions that match the actual sizes and positions of the plurality of struts coupling the first fixation ring to the second fixation ring;
• determining the actual second ring position based on the position of the second model of the first fixation ring and the sizes and positions of the plurality of model struts;
• displaying a second model of the second fixation ring on the second display device overlying the second representation of the second segment, the second model of the second fixation ring having the determined actual second ring position;
• and
• generating a second post-operative correction plan.