3D Printed Joints Now Used in Joint Replacement
Toys, geometric designs, inventions — 3D printing has transformed ideas into the tangible. Naturally, the phenomenon continues to grow into the health sector. In orthopedics, it revolutionizes accuracy in joint replacements and can help replace bone loss in the most extreme situations.
In your hip, the acetabulum is the “cup” that holds the femoral head, a ball-like structure connecting to your femur bone. In this 3D printed model in resin, the acetabulum and surrounding bone was completely worn through causing pain, instability and limited mobility.
Dustin Bechtold, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Avera Orthopedics in Sioux Falls, SD, showed off a 3D printed model of a severely defected hip.
“3D printing provides a nice option for people with very challenging problems,” said Bechtold.
In the setting of severe bone loss around the knee from fractures, infection or other causes, large implants are available in a variety of sizes to replace the missing bone. Replacing severe bone loss around the pelvis requires even more customization.
Steps to Getting a 3D Printed Joint
Getting a 3D printed implant is a careful process with the goal of creating the most perfect product and best outcome for the patient.
The typical steps include:
- Your orthopedic surgeon attains a 3D digital image of your joint through a CT scan.
- The CT scan is submitted to surgical device company, where the engineering team works with the surgeon to evaluate the bone defect and make an implant that will provide a new socket while filling the bone loss and creating support to secure to the surrounding bone. This planning includes placement of screws into the good bone to support the new implant. “Your surgeon ensures that the implant will recreate a properly positioned new socket and have plenty of support from the remaining intact bone,” said Bechtold.
- Your surgeon receives a resin 3D model of the pelvis with the defect and a guide for bone that will need to be cleaned up and removed to support the new implant. A resin model of the implant itself and the guides used to prepare the bone in surgery are also provided.
- The titanium metal implant is printed, layer by layer, to exactly meet the needs of the patient and their unique anatomy and bone loss.
- This implant and the resin guides are sterilized by the operating room team to be used in surgery.
- You undergo your joint replacement surgery on the scheduled date.
Remember the acetabulum that was completely worn through? In this situation, a new acetabulum has been created and supported by the remaining good bone. A liner can then be placed in that new socket to support the ball of the femur.
Strong Bones and Joints Are Worth the Wait
These extra steps with the engineering team take extra time. While most patients requiring a joint replacement can get in within two weeks, the 3D printed pathway might take over a month between the CT scan and surgery date.
In the past, patients could undergo a joint replacement with less personalization. The possibility of unauthorized movement between the prosthetics and bones could cause potential pain, instability and infection.
“People in these situations are just happy to have an option,” said Bechtold. “They’re OK waiting a few extra weeks to get a solution which allows them to live with more mobility and less pain.”
Also, keep this good news in mind — successful joint replacements today can last a lifetime; the investment is worth the relatively short wait.
Take the Next Step Toward Joint Replacement
