Case 1: 3D Printed Fibular Bone Defect Case (2014)

Performed by Dr. Adam Perler in October 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the time this was the first 3D printed fibular replacement in the US. This was performed on a patient that had presented with a previous ankle fusion which had healed in a flexed position and who had a significant defect in her fibula. The patient desired to have the fusion taken down and converted to an ankle replacement which was not possible due to the fibular defect.

Using 4Web technology, the surgery was planned on the computer, the fibula was custom designed to work with the hardware of choice, 3D printed, and the plan was executed as demonstrated above. Now that she is fully healed, the patient plans to travel St. Petersburg, FL from Indianapolis, IN to have her ankle converted from a fusion to a replacement which is now possible thanks to this unique approach.