Clinical validated Computer-Aided Decision System to the clubfeet deformities

A Computer-Aided Decision System (CADS) was developed in order to assess the abnormalities of the clubfeet deformities. Our system consists of four components: 1) a diagnosis-based ontology of the musculoskeletal system of the lower limbs 2) a database for collecting clinical observations of the clubfeet deformities, e.g. the birth classification 3) the decision tree method and a diagnosis algorithm in order to predict new issues 4) an interactive module for managing the interaction between patients, experts and the due CADS. The pathological decision tree of the relationships between different parameters concerning clubfoot (equinus, varus, medial derotation of the Calcaneo-MidForefoot Unit, supination, muscle function, and joint flexibility) was computed. Rule knowledge was deduced to classify the 3 grades of the clubfoot deformities (Moderate, Severe, Rigid). Our system was validated clinically with the real patient data obtained from the Infant Surgery Service in Robert Debre Hospital in Paris. The remote access into our system has been guaranteed through a dynamic Web-based interface. Our system was developed in order to allow a better assessment for improving the knowledge and thus the evaluation and treatment of clubfeet.