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Summary

A patient-specific 3D-printed prosthesis restored fingertip stability after a severe distal phalanx fracture nonunion. This innovative approach enabled a full return to work with excellent long-term outcomes.

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Area of Science:

Orthopedic surgery
Biomedical engineering
3D printing technology

Background:

A comminuted distal phalanx fracture led to nonunion and significant fingertip instability in a 38-year-old male patient.
Traditional treatments may not adequately address severe instability and complex fractures of the distal phalanx.

Observation:

A 38-year-old male patient presented with a nonunion of a comminuted distal phalanx fracture.
This resulted in gross instability of the affected fingertip.
A patient-specific 3D-printed distal phalangeal prosthesis was designed and implanted.

Findings:

The implantation of the custom prosthesis successfully restored fingertip stability.
The patient experienced excellent functional outcomes.
The patient was able to return to his occupation after 2 years.

Implications:

Patient-specific 3D-printed implants offer a viable solution for complex distal phalanx fractures.
This technology enables tailored reconstruction for improved functional recovery.
Key design considerations (Patient, Priorities, Point of fixation, Procedure, Problems, People) are crucial for successful implementation.