Author Spotlight: A Novel 3D-Printed Titanium Implant for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Hip Dysplasia in Young Dogs

The scope of our research is the application of a new surgical treatment, 3D hip, for young dogs with hip dysplasia characterized by hip laxity. The 3D hip implant is a patient-specific 3D-printed titanium implant that is designed to extend the dorsal acetabular rim of the hip joint and leads to joint stability and resolution of hip pain. Hip dysplasia is a common orthopedic disease in young dogs that can be treated surgically by invasive techniques like pelvic osteotomy to hip replacement and femoral head and neck incision.

So there is a need for minimally invasive procedure like the 3D hip implant, which can be treated bilaterally with rapid recovery preserving the joint. The 3D hip is laser-printed with titanium powder using a direct metal printing machine. Printing is computer-guided by the CT scan of the dog's pelvis, ensuring sufficient dorsal acetabular rim extension for perfect fit placement, and reversing the hip laxity to immediate joint stability.

Accuracy of the 3D hip implant placement is evaluated during surgery using fluoroscopy, but it may be affected by changes of bone and joint between the day of CT scan and the day of surgery or the lead time. So a reduction in lead term to two weeks would be ideal. The modified surgical hip approach provides an adequate view of the dorsal acetabular rim of the hip joint for implant placement.

The 3D hip implant increases femoral head coverage, decreases laxity of the dysplastic hip joint, and shortens recovery time. Bilateral application in one operative session is the major benefit of the 3D hip procedure.