Due to sickle cell disease, blood flow to the patient’s ankle became compromised, leading to the death of her talus bone in a condition called avascular necrosis.
After non-surgical approaches failed, the physicians took CT scans of the patient’s ankle and collaborated with a 3D-printing company to design a custom metallic bone based on the size of the patient’s talus.
The UM surgeons tried three different sizes during surgery to find the best fit.
The patient was fitted with a 3D-printed cobalt chrome implant, which is often used in hip replacements and presents a more durable solution for the load-bearing ankle.
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