Reconstruction of a Medial Malleolus with a Computerized Numerical Control Multitasking Machine for Bone Machining: A...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomedical engineering
• Computer-aided design and manufacturing

Background:

• Medial malleolus defects often require complex reconstruction.
• Traditional bone grafting methods may lack precision for anatomical restoration.
• Iliac autografts are a common source for bone reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of computer-aided design (CAD) and Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machining for anatomical ankle reconstruction.
• To assess the outcome of an iliac autograft precisely machined for a medial malleolus defect.

Main Methods:

• Anatomical reconstruction of a medial malleolus defect using an iliac autograft.
• Computer-aided design (CAD) for graft template creation based on the contralateral healthy ankle.
• Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) multitasking machine for precise bone graft machining in a sterile environment.

Main Results:

• Successful graft union confirmed by computed tomography (CT) two years postoperatively.
• Patient reported mild ankle discomfort with minimal difficulty in daily activities.
• Arthroscopy revealed cartilage-like tissue formation on the reconstructed articular surface.

Conclusions:

• Precise bone machining using CNC technology can enhance the accuracy of anatomical joint reconstructions.
• CAD/CNC-assisted autograft preparation offers a promising approach for complex orthopedic reconstructions.
• This technique may improve functional outcomes and tissue regeneration in ankle reconstruction.