Applying 3D‐Printed Porous Ti6Al4V Prostheses to Repair Osteomyelitis‐Induced Partial Bone Defects of Lower Limbs: Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Outcomes

ABSTRACT Objective The clinical management of partial bone defects in lower limbs, particularly those resulting from osteomyelitis, remains a significant challenge. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of 3D‐printed porous Ti6Al4V prostheses in addressing osteomyelitis‐induc...

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Main Authors: Bingchuan Liu, Qizhao Tan, Zhengguang Wang, Guojin Hou, Caimei Wang, Yun Tian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Orthopaedic Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/os.14268
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author Bingchuan Liu
Qizhao Tan
Zhengguang Wang
Guojin Hou
Caimei Wang
Yun Tian
author_facet Bingchuan Liu
Qizhao Tan
Zhengguang Wang
Guojin Hou
Caimei Wang
Yun Tian
author_sort Bingchuan Liu
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Objective The clinical management of partial bone defects in lower limbs, particularly those resulting from osteomyelitis, remains a significant challenge. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of 3D‐printed porous Ti6Al4V prostheses in addressing osteomyelitis‐induced partial bone defects. Methods We established a comprehensive protocol for utilizing 3D‐printed prostheses for bone defect repair, encompassing 3D simulation of prosthesis implantation and internal fixation, finite element analysis (FEA), and clinical implementation. Mimics software facilitated simulation of fixation patterns and screw lengths. FEA modeled bone defects in the distal metaphyseal femur and distal diaphyseal tibia to assess changes in stress conduction pre‐ and post‐prosthesis implantation. The clinical study involved eight patients (average age: 56.3 years) with an average defect length of 14.9 cm. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated using X‐rays and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Results FEA demonstrated that the implanted prostheses effectively shared stress and reduced the load on residual bone in both models, thus lowering the risk of fractures under external forces. The average follow‐up period was 24.5 months, with patients initiating weight‐bearing activities on average 7.8 days post‐surgery. Serial postoperative X‐rays demonstrated long‐term stability of the prostheses, with progressive bone regeneration around and integration with the prostheses. While two patients experienced infection recurrence requiring prosthesis removal and debridement, the remaining six showed significant improvement in LEFS scores, increasing from 31.5 preoperatively to 61.0 at the last follow‐up. Conclusions 3D‐printed porous Ti6Al4V prostheses effectively restore anatomical integrity and optimize stress conduction in lower limbs, resulting in substantial functional recovery. This innovative approach shows promise for wider clinical adoption and warrants further investigation in medical practice.
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spelling doaj-art-aed43fbc03ce4a3e8d205e73552f12472025-01-16T05:31:15ZengWileyOrthopaedic Surgery1757-78531757-78612025-01-0117111512410.1111/os.14268Applying 3D‐Printed Porous Ti6Al4V Prostheses to Repair Osteomyelitis‐Induced Partial Bone Defects of Lower Limbs: Finite Element Analysis and Clinical OutcomesBingchuan Liu0Qizhao Tan1Zhengguang Wang2Guojin Hou3Caimei Wang4Yun Tian5Department of Orthopaedics Peking University Third Hospital Beijing ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics Peking University Third Hospital Beijing ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics Peking University Third Hospital Beijing ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics Peking University Third Hospital Beijing ChinaBeijing AKEC Medical Co., Ltd. Beijing ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics Peking University Third Hospital Beijing ChinaABSTRACT Objective The clinical management of partial bone defects in lower limbs, particularly those resulting from osteomyelitis, remains a significant challenge. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of 3D‐printed porous Ti6Al4V prostheses in addressing osteomyelitis‐induced partial bone defects. Methods We established a comprehensive protocol for utilizing 3D‐printed prostheses for bone defect repair, encompassing 3D simulation of prosthesis implantation and internal fixation, finite element analysis (FEA), and clinical implementation. Mimics software facilitated simulation of fixation patterns and screw lengths. FEA modeled bone defects in the distal metaphyseal femur and distal diaphyseal tibia to assess changes in stress conduction pre‐ and post‐prosthesis implantation. The clinical study involved eight patients (average age: 56.3 years) with an average defect length of 14.9 cm. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated using X‐rays and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Results FEA demonstrated that the implanted prostheses effectively shared stress and reduced the load on residual bone in both models, thus lowering the risk of fractures under external forces. The average follow‐up period was 24.5 months, with patients initiating weight‐bearing activities on average 7.8 days post‐surgery. Serial postoperative X‐rays demonstrated long‐term stability of the prostheses, with progressive bone regeneration around and integration with the prostheses. While two patients experienced infection recurrence requiring prosthesis removal and debridement, the remaining six showed significant improvement in LEFS scores, increasing from 31.5 preoperatively to 61.0 at the last follow‐up. Conclusions 3D‐printed porous Ti6Al4V prostheses effectively restore anatomical integrity and optimize stress conduction in lower limbs, resulting in substantial functional recovery. This innovative approach shows promise for wider clinical adoption and warrants further investigation in medical practice.https://doi.org/10.1111/os.142683D printing technologyclinical studyfinite element analysisosseointegrationpartial bone defect
spellingShingle Bingchuan Liu
Qizhao Tan
Zhengguang Wang
Guojin Hou
Caimei Wang
Yun Tian
Applying 3D‐Printed Porous Ti6Al4V Prostheses to Repair Osteomyelitis‐Induced Partial Bone Defects of Lower Limbs: Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Outcomes
Orthopaedic Surgery
3D printing technology
clinical study
finite element analysis
osseointegration
partial bone defect
title Applying 3D‐Printed Porous Ti6Al4V Prostheses to Repair Osteomyelitis‐Induced Partial Bone Defects of Lower Limbs: Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Outcomes
title_full Applying 3D‐Printed Porous Ti6Al4V Prostheses to Repair Osteomyelitis‐Induced Partial Bone Defects of Lower Limbs: Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Outcomes
title_fullStr Applying 3D‐Printed Porous Ti6Al4V Prostheses to Repair Osteomyelitis‐Induced Partial Bone Defects of Lower Limbs: Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Outcomes
title_full_unstemmed Applying 3D‐Printed Porous Ti6Al4V Prostheses to Repair Osteomyelitis‐Induced Partial Bone Defects of Lower Limbs: Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Outcomes
title_short Applying 3D‐Printed Porous Ti6Al4V Prostheses to Repair Osteomyelitis‐Induced Partial Bone Defects of Lower Limbs: Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Outcomes
title_sort applying 3d printed porous ti6al4v prostheses to repair osteomyelitis induced partial bone defects of lower limbs finite element analysis and clinical outcomes
topic 3D printing technology
clinical study
finite element analysis
osseointegration
partial bone defect
url https://doi.org/10.1111/os.14268
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