An external bone alignment device arranged and configured to align two or more bones or pieces of bone, the device comprising: a first bone coupling device arranged and configured to engage a patient's first bone or piece of bone; a second bone coupling device arranged and configured to engage a patient's second bone or piece of bone; a plurality of struts coupled to the first and second bone coupling devices , each of the plurality of struts being arranged and configured to be lengthened and shortened so that adjustment of the strut moves the first bone coupling device relative to the second bone coupling device ; and a strut measurement and feedback device arranged and configured to: selectively attach to one of the plurality of struts ; and provide real-time information regarding an absolute or relative positioning or length of the strut to which the strut measurement and feedback device is attached, the strut measurement and feedback device comprising a strut measurement component for providing real-time information regarding an absolute or relative positioning or length of the strut to which the strut measurement and feedback device is attached, wherein the strut measurement component includes a camera arranged and configured to read visualizing markings positioned on the strut to which the strut measurement and feedback device is attached, the visualizing markings determining a length of the strut . a first bone coupling device arranged and configured to engage a patient's first bone or piece of bone; a second bone coupling device arranged and configured to engage a patient's second bone or piece of bone; a plurality of struts coupled to the first and second bone coupling devices , each of the plurality of struts being arranged and configured to be lengthened and shortened so that adjustment of the strut moves the first bone coupling device relative to the second bone coupling device ; and a strut measurement and feedback device arranged and configured to: selectively attach to one of the plurality of struts ; and provide real-time information regarding an absolute or relative positioning or length of the strut to which the strut measurement and feedback device is attached, the strut measurement and feedback device comprising a strut measurement component for providing real-time information regarding an absolute or relative positioning or length of the strut to which the strut measurement and feedback device is attached, wherein the strut measurement component includes a camera arranged and configured to read visualizing markings positioned on the strut to which the strut measurement and feedback device is attached, the visualizing markings determining a length of the strut . selectively attach to one of the plurality of struts ; and provide real-time information regarding an absolute or relative positioning or length of the strut to which the strut measurement and feedback device is attached, the strut measurement and feedback device comprising a strut measurement component for providing real-time information regarding an absolute or relative positioning or length of the strut to which the strut measurement and feedback device is attached, wherein the strut measurement component includes a camera arranged and configured to read visualizing markings positioned on the strut to which the strut measurement and feedback device is attached, the visualizing markings determining a length of the strut . <EOS>