The high tibial osteotomy (HTO) implants are made of titanium alloy, and are designed to reduce discomfort for knee osteoarthritis patients
The ease of 3D printing makes their production relatively simple and could allow for earlier intervention, potentially saving patients decades of pain before surgery becomes viable
The implants are due to be trialled on UK patients, following a virtual ‘in-silico’ trial that demonstrated the technique's safety. Using CT scan data from 28 patients, the trial modelled the stresses that would be exerted on the bespoke plates digitally and showed they would be comparable in safety to the standard treatment.
The process, called TOKA (Tailored Osteotomy for Knee Alignment), is used to realign a patient’s knee, making it more stable, comfortable and better able to bear weight than existing generic plates. The technique also simplifies surgery by making operations quicker and safer.
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