Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 May 21;3(5):248-253.
doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180001. eCollection 2018 May.

3D printing and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Gareth G Jones  1 , Susannah Clarke  1 , Martin Jaere  1 , Justin Cobb  1
Affiliations

3D printing and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Gareth G Jones et al. EFORT Open Rev. .

Abstract

In suitable patients, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) offers a number of advantages compared with total knee arthroplasty. However, the procedure is technically demanding, with a small tolerance for error. Assistive technology has the potential to improve the accuracy of implant positioning.This review paper describes the concept of detailed UKA planning in 3D, and the 3D printing technology that enables a plan to be delivered intraoperatively using patient-specific instrumentation (PSI).The varying guide designs that enable accurate registration are discussed and described. The system accuracy is reported.Future studies need to ascertain whether accuracy for low-volume surgeons can be delivered in the operating theatre using PSI, and reflected in improved patient reported outcome measures, and lower revision rates. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3 DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180001.

Keywords: 3D printing; osteoarthritis; partial knee arthroplasty; patient-specific guides; patient-specific instrumentation; unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

ICMJE Conflict of interest statement: G. Jones reports a grant from The Michael Uren Foundation, activity relating to the submitted work. S. Clarke declares provision of equipment from Embody Orthopaedic, activity relating to the submitted work; board membership, royalties and stocks/stock options from Embody Orthopaedic, activity outside the submitted work. M. Jaere declares consultancy for Embody Orthopaedic, activity outside the submitted work. J. Cobb declares consultancy for Microport; patents for Imperial Innovations; royalties from MatOrtho; stock/stock options from Embody Orthopaedic; travel/accommodation/meeting expenses from Zimmer Biomet, activities outside the submitted work.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CT-scan derived 3D bone model reliably orientated in space according to established frames of reference.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Screenshot of a planned tibial component using software designed for the task.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Illustration of an Embody (Embody, London, UK) patient-specific instrument guide incorporating distant patient-specific referencing for the malleoli (red) and local patient-specific referencing of the proximal tibia exposed by the surgical incision (blue).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Arthritis Research UK. Osteoarthritis in general practice. Med Pr 2013;222:253-258.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevalence and most common causes of disability among adults-United States, 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009;58:421-426. - PubMed
    1. Bitton R. The economic burden of osteoarthritis. Am J Manag Care 2009;15(Suppl):S230-S235. - PubMed
    1. House of Lords Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change. Ready for Ageing? 2013. (March). http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldselect/ldpublic/140/... (date last accessed 26 January 2018).
    1. Alpert JS, Powers PJ. Obesity: a complex public health challenge. Am J Med 2005;118:935. - PubMed