3D printing technologies continue to gain traction in total talus replacement, particularly as research demonstrates it’s an effective surgical option for patients with avascular necrosis. SmartTRAK highlights three recent studies illustrating how custom 3D printed metal implants are being used in total talus replacement surgery to restore normal joint anatomy and maintain joint range of motion.

SmartTRAK will be attending the 2021 American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Meeting in Charlotte, NC, Sept 22-25, to learn more about this technology and other advancements in foot & ankle treatment. Click for information on AOFAS and how to meet with us while in Charlotte to find out what SmartTRAK can do for you.

1) Three Dimension Printing Talar Prostheses for Total Replacement in Talar Necrosis and Collapse

• • SmartTRAK Analyst Summary:
    • A retrospective study evaluated anatomical talar replacement & clinical results of 9 patients w/ talar necrosis & collapse (TNC) using 3D printed metal talus implants and reported talar height increased 6.97mm & AOFAS hindfoot score improved 53.34mm at mean follow-up of 23.17 months. Int Orthop
  •  Conclusion:
    • The study concludes "The 3D printing patient-specific total talar prostheses allowed anatomical reconstruction in TNC. This novel treatment with 3D-printed prostheses could serve as a reliable patient-specific alternative in TNC.”
      
      

Computer-assisted technologies continue to gain traction in total joint arthroplasty, particularly as research demonstrates improved outcomes when clinicians employ surgical planning, simulation and navigation. SmartTRAK highlights three recent studies illustrating how augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are being used in total knee replacement (TKR) surgery to improve accuracy in distal femoral resection, train nurses in complex knee revision arthroplasty procedures, and help surgeons lower long-term revision rates in TKR patients.

• Augmented Reality-Assisted Femoral Bone Resection in Total Knee Arthroplasty
  
  
  • SmartTRAK Analyst Summary: A study of 10 resected femoral Sawbones specimens using an AR-based navigation system performed CT scans to measure the resection angle of the distal part of the femur and reported mean absolute value of the error in coronal alignment was significantly smaller in the AR-based navigation group than the intramedullary-guide group. JB JS Open Access. 2021 Jul 23
    
    
  • Conclusion: The study concludes “The AR-based navigation system may enable surgeons to perform distal femoral resection more accurately than with the conventional intramedullary guide during TKA.”