At the Duilio Casula Polyclinic in Cagliari, a woman with achondroplasia, the most common form of genetic dwarfism, underwent a customized hip replacement, created using 3D technology. The procedure was successfully performed by the team of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, headed by Professor Antonio Capone. This is the first procedure of its kind on the island, thanks to the use of advanced 3D reconstruction and printing technologies.
The patient suffered from bilateral hip osteoarthritis, a common complication in patients with achondroplasia, a rare disease that compromises the development of long bones, rendering standard orthopedic prostheses unusable. The operation involved the use of a titanium alloy prosthesis, designed based on a 3D model obtained from a CT scan of the patient.
The implant was developed at the University of Cagliari's Unica3D Lab, coordinated by Professor Giuseppe Marongiu. The result is the result of a collaboration between the Cagliari University Hospital and the Milan-based company Adler Ortho , which specializes in the production of custom-made devices. Thanks to the customized implant, the patient was able to begin walking with assistance just two days after the operation, thanks in part to the collaborative work of nurses and physiotherapists.
«Custom-made prostheses represent a step forward in hip surgery – explains Professor Capone – but they should be reserved for the most complex cases, given the high costs and production times».
Professor Marongiu is also optimistic: "With the introduction of surgical robots, it will be possible to reduce completion times, making these solutions more accessible and applicable to a growing number of patients."
