Three-Dimensional Printing in Orthopedics: Where We Stand and Where We Are Heading

Figure 1. Schema demonstrating the steps for creating a 3D Biomodel.

Figure 2. Example of segmentation performed in the 3D Slicer®. The patient’s pelvis is selected in green, the region of interest is selected in red.

Figure 3. Example of using 3D printing for surgical planning in a patient of very short stature (1.38m). A) Anteroposterior knee radiography showing advanced osteoarthrosis of the knee; B) 3D model developed from computed tomography; C) Biomodel printed from the model of Figure 2B, in which a total knee arthroplasty was performed; D) Postoperative radiography demonstrating a result similar to the biomodel.

Figure 4. Stages of making a customized implant. A) Creation of a 3D model of the affected area and planning of osteotomy cuts using CAD; B) With the bone defect created virtually, the implant can be designed and a test model is printed; C) Intraoperative aspect of the guide used to perform iliac osteotomy; D) Final tomographic result.