Knee Replacement Using State-of-the-art 3D Printer Technology

ConforMIS patient-specific implants are created to perfectly fit to the size and shape of the patient’s bone.

3D Printed Patient Specific Knee Replacement

Using 3-D printing technology together with the CT images from the patient ensures that the ConforMIS patient-specific implants are created to perfectly fit to the size and shape of the patient’s bone.

Mr Ravindra Gudena is the first consultant to perform a complete ConforMIS Total Knee replacement at Fairfield Independent Hospital.

Mr Ravindra Gudena explains that a “ConforMIS Patient-specific implant is a significant advance over the currently available systems. ConforMIS knee replacement has unique advantages of bone preservation, less blood loss and quicker recovery. The patients can get to the activity levels they are used to with no limitation as the ConforMIS Knee replacement has a natural knee feel”.

Advantages

There are several benefits for having a ConforMIS patient specific implant at Fairfield Independent Hospital, which include:

3D printing technology ensures that the ConforMIS Knee replacement is identical to the original knee and there are no compromises.

Typically an off-the-shelf knee replacement requires more bone to be removed. Removing bone can increase the chances of any complications during surgery.

As a ConforMIS Knee replacement is tailor-made to the individual it results in little or no implant overhang. Implant overhang is one of the causes of residual pain and dissatisfaction.

Currently this treatment is provided by some insurance companies; however Fairfield Independent Hospital offers flexible and affordable self-pay packages on all our treatments.

Short waiting times

Fairfield Independent Hospital is a one stop clinic, providing the latest diagnostic investigations, treatments, pre and post care for a wide range of services including orthopaedic (knees, arms, shoulders and lower limbs) conditions.

3D Printing Process

Using 3D printing technology in the manufacture of the replacement knee ensures that the ConforMIS patient-specific implants are a perfect fit for the individual, as all knees are different sizes and more importantly different shapes.

  1. First the patient has a CT scan to produce a 3D representation of the knee.
  2. The design of the replacement joint is modelled on the patients CT data.
  3. Next a mould is made to the specific design, using 3D printing technology.
  4. From the mould the engineers construct the bespoke implant using a plastic called. polyethylene and a metal alloy known as cobalt chrome, these are tried and tested materials.
  5. The 3D printer engineers also print out the iJigs™; small bespoke plastic instruments that slot on to the knee and show exactly where the bone has to be cut, improving accuracy and meaning fewer cuts are needed.

Demand

An ageing population and a significant increase in obesity rates are all contributing to more pressure put on to our knees and joints. Currently there are around 85,000 knee replacement operations in the UK every year, a trend which is expected to grow.

Fairfield Independent Hospital’s ambition is to be one of the leading centres for joint replacement in the Northwest, and currently we have the most ConforMIS trained knee surgeons in the UK.

Source: www.conformis.co.uk