Single-leg versus double-leg weight-bearing radiographs for coronal alignment assessment in patients with lower extremity trauma

Introduction

Accurate assessment of coronal lower extremity alignment is critical for surgical planning and postoperative evaluation following orthopedic trauma. Although double-leg (DL) standing radiographs remain the standard for alignment assessment, single-leg (SL) stance more closely approximates physiologic loading during gait. Prior studies have demonstrated differences between DL and SL alignment measurements in patients with osteoarthritis and elective deformity correction, but comparable data in orthopedic trauma patients are lacking.