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Three-dimensional printing improves osteochondral allograft placement in complex cases

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

The use of three-dimensional (3D) printing has seen a vast expansion over recent years, with an increased application for its use in orthopaedics. This report details the use of 3D printing technology to aid in the treatment of a medial femoral condyle osteochondral defect in a 26-year-old female who had previously undergone a failed autograft procedure. A preoperative computed tomography scan of the knee and chondral defect was used to generate a 3D printed, one-to-one scale replica of the distal femur. This replica was then used to size a patient-specific allograft plug for the osteochondral transplantation procedure. The patient recovered well, and 1 year postoperatively the allograft was well incorporated into the medial femoral condyle and healed. This report illustrates the advantages of using a 3D printed model to allow for tactile feedback and improved visualization that will allow for improved understanding of complex surgical procedures.

Level of evidence V.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Blvd., CFP-6, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Kelechi R. Okoroha & Timothy J. Evans

  2. School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA

    Jeffrey P. Stephens

  3. Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    Eric C. Makhni & Vasilios Moutzouros

Authors
  1. Kelechi R. Okoroha
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  2. Timothy J. Evans
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  3. Jeffrey P. Stephens
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  4. Eric C. Makhni
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  5. Vasilios Moutzouros
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kelechi R. Okoroha.

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No authors have any financial disclosures.

Ethical approval

The local institutional review board approved this study (IRB: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI).

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A signed formed consent was obtained from the patient allowing publication of this case report.

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Okoroha, K.R., Evans, T.J., Stephens, J.P. et al. Three-dimensional printing improves osteochondral allograft placement in complex cases. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 26, 3601–3605 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-018-4849-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-018-4849-y

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