A new study published in Foot & Ankle International suggests that advancements in three-dimensional printing have allowed surgeons to use custom-made implants for difficult or unique foot and ankle surgeries. The advancement in 3D technology means patients now have a new avenue to treat lower extremity pain and deformities.
For their analysis, researchers at Duke University’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery studied 15 patients who received a custom 3D-printed titanium implant between 2014 and 2016 to treat poor bone formation, bone loss or deformity. In each instance, the 3D mold was created with the assistance of a CT scan that was taken from the patient and analyzed by a software program. The devices were then reviewed, printed, reviewed again and then inserted into each patient.
Senior researcher Samuel B. Adams, MD, director of foot and ankle research at Duke University Medical Center, said the technology could help to prevent amputations.
“This is the first case series looking at the use of 3D-printed implants in foot and ankle surgery,” said Dr. Adams. “This short-term study is also the first to demonstrate improvement in patient-reported outcomes with the use of 3D-printed implants. The injuries of many of the patients treated in this study would have required an amputation without this technology.”
Benefits Of 3D Printing in Foot and Ankle Surgery
Aside from the obvious health benefits of potentially preventing amputations, the benefits of 3D printed implants in foot and ankle surgery include:
- An unlimited range of shapes
- Increased options in implant size
- Decreased likelihood of morbidity
- Fewer complications compared to other surgeries.
After looking at the results, researchers say that the custom 3D-printed titanium implants were successful in 13 of 15 patients who were involved in the study. Of the patients with successful outcomes, they reported significant improvement in pain and all said they would undergo the procedure again to save their foot and ankle.
“The future of 3D printing is very bright. Surgeons who may have been skeptical about using this technology can now use this data to make an informed decision about using it to improve patient care,” said Dr. Adams.
It is still a little early to determine the longevity of some of the custom-printed pieces, but as we’ve seen with the Cartiva implant, today’s technology is making implants last much longer than ever before, so patients may not need to have a revisional operation down the road. We’re exited to see where the future of 3D printing will take orthopedic care.
