Partial Shoulder Arthroplasty Guided by Three-dimensional Prototyping.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Medical technology
• 3D printing applications

Background:

• Osteonecrosis of the humeral head, often due to avascular necrosis, can occur in early childhood.
• This condition can lead to significant joint damage in young adults.
• Treatment options for such rare cases require precise surgical planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of osteonecrosis of the humeral head in a young adult.
• To demonstrate the utility of three-dimensional (3D) printing in tailoring surgical treatment for this condition.
• To highlight the application of 3D printing in optimizing partial humeral arthroplasty.

Main Methods:

• Utilized three-dimensional (3D) printing technology for surgical planning.
• Developed a tailored approach for partial humeral arthroplasty based on 3D models.
• Performed surgery guided by the 3D printed model.

Main Results:

• Successfully performed a partial humeral arthroplasty using a 3D printed guide.
• The 3D printing technology facilitated precise determination of surgical steps.
• Achieved optimized treatment for a rare case of humeral head osteonecrosis.

Conclusions:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a valuable tool in Orthopedics and Traumatology.
• 3D printing enables precise and personalized surgical interventions.
• Disseminating knowledge of 3D printing applications can advance patient care in complex orthopedic cases.