Assessing the Feasibility of Custom Orthopedic Implants

Given the range of size and shape in pets, there are few off-the-shelf implants for many veterinary orthopedic procedures. In human medicine, 3D printing of implants, custom-made for the patient, is becoming more common, showing good outcomes. Researchers will evaluate the feasibility of these types of implants to repair shinbone fractures in dogs, using cadaver bones as a model.  If successful, an implant that is custom designed to a patient’s anatomy and fracture orientation will eliminate the need for intraoperative plate contouring, hopefully allowing for more minimally invasive fracture repair. This could result in reduced surgical times and improved patient outcomes in dogs with complex fractures.