Bone cancer usually causes patients to be treated with the affected organ amputated. But through titanium 3D printing technology, researchers from the Gregorio Marañón Hospital and the Polytechnic University of Madrid have managed to save a patient's leg for the first time in history.
The part of the tibia bone affected by cancer of a 38-year-old patient was replaced with a 3D-printed titanium bone. A 3D scan of the bone was first taken before a digital twin was created in the computer. Before the 3D-printed bone was produced, it was first tested virtually to see its durability.
The 3D-printing technique produces a hollow titanium bone substitute. This implant will fuse with existing bone and it weighs only 300 grams and can withstand a load of up to 500 kg. It is lighter than a typical metal bone substitute that weighs several kg but can only withstand a load of 150 kg.
Because it is hollow, the patient's bone will then grow around the lattice of 3D-printed bone cavities as it is slowly integrated directly into the body. The experiment was carried out a year ago and the patient is now able to walk again after being disabled for two years. He is still undergoing rehabilitation to regain full use of his legs.
The Gregorio Marañón Hospital said another procedure has been performed on another patient. Two more procedures will be carried out this time to replace the patient's wrist and sternum. In the future, researchers hope that the technique developed can replace damaged organs without amputation.
