Patient-specific 3D-printed titanium implant for distal tibial critical bone defect

Abstract

Aim: Post-traumatic large critical bone defects remain a challenge for today’s orthopedist. Despite multiple available options for treatment including autograft, massive allograft and various methods of bone transport, no strategy has shown itself to be free of significant complications or discouraging rates of nonunion and other mechanisms of failure. Case presentation: Here, we present a patient example of successful treatment of critical bone defect of the distal tibia utilizing the novel technology of a 3D-printed titanium cage coupled with a combination of autologous and allogenic bone graft in a 26-year-old male injured in motor vehicle collision. Conclusion: This case provides further evidence of a successful and promising new treatment to address these challenging injuries.