Applications of 3D Visualization and Printing for Orthopedic Practice

Medical 3D-printing can be applied to a variety of specialties. For orthopedic surgery, there are several applications ranging from basic anatomical references to complex, custom surgical guides, and the slowly growing application of custom permanent implants. At the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine’s Center for Innovation in Medical Visualization, all modeling, planning, design, and 3D-printing is done on-site, allowing for rapid turnaround of patient-specific solutions. This presentation will explore how 3D-printing is currently being used to improve surgical outcomes, focusing specifically on bone-related applications. The scope of this presentation will be for beginners but also demonstrate more advanced applications.

The presentation will begin with more simple applications that serve as references for surgeons, educators, and patients. These models aid in understanding complex bone structures and enable realistic surgical simulations for training purposes. As the applications become more advanced, cases will be presented that show how 3D-printing supports pre-surgical planning. For example, how precise pre-bending of fixation plates, tailored to each patient’s anatomy is done. This streamlines surgeries and minimizes operating times and improves accuracy.

More advanced applications involve custom cutting guides, designed to fit a patient’s bone structure. These guides provide surgeons with greater precision and consistency, reducing variability and enhancing overall outcomes. At USC, the entire process from imaging to the final printed product takes place within the facility, reducing costs and ensuring quick production. It is a collaboration between clinicians and the 3D team to design all the fixation points and cutting planes to for patient specific osteotomies to correct malformations.

This presentation will showcase real world examples from casework in orthopedics, illustrating the potential of 3D-printing in surgery. From educational tools to advanced surgical aids, this presentation aims to highlight both the current impact and future possibilities of 3D-printing in personalized patient care.