Dr Pradeep Moonot,
Orthopaedic Surgeon & Podiatrist, Mumbai Knee Foot and Ankle Clinic, Mumbai
The outcomes for deformity correction in the knee foot and ankle injuries have drastically improved with the advent of 3 d printing technology. The technology offers a realistic option for even the most complicated deformity surgeries. 3D Printed models have been proving to be a boon not only for patients but also for the surgeons providing them with better and precise pre-operative planning, thereby saving time and correcting the deformity with accuracy.
More often it has been seen in cases where patients undergoing fractures in the foot and ankle usually have deformed structure post treatment. Such corrections may not have any severe impact on their quality of life, but once the deformity occurs, it seems to be an irreversible damage. Now with the revolutionizing technology, the deformities can be corrected with high accuracy and precision. Generating a pre-model of even the most complex structures, the surgeons can better analyze the anatomy through surgical simulation and plan their surgeries for better outcomes.
As the complete anatomy of the foot and ankle can be deeply studied, irrespective of the presence of patient, surgeons get ample time to predict the angle of deformity to be corrected with high accuracy. Being cost effective such technologies are gaining importance gradually across the country.
3D Printed models are highly useful for treating complex conditions like bow legs, knee deformities, deformities in the foot and ankle due to improper or misaligned joining of the bones, claw toes, plantar fasciitis among many other orthopedic complications which can be treated with high accuracy. With less time consumption the hospital stay is also reduced and the minimally invasive procedures used ensures complete safety and quicker recovery with better functional outcomes.
What is 3D Printing?
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a manufacturing method in which objects are made by fusing or depositing materials—such as plastic, metal, ceramics, powders, liquids, or even living cells—in layers to produce a 3D object. 3D printing is expected to revolutionize medicine and other fields.
There are about two dozen 3D printing processes, which use varying printer technologies, speeds, and resolutions, and hundreds of materials. These technologies can build a 3D object in almost any shape imaginable as defined in a computer-aided design (CAD) file. It is important to note that two-dimensional (2D) radiographic images, such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scans, can be converted to digital 3D print files, allowing the creation of complex, customized anatomical and medical structures.
