Abstract
The successful clinical application of bone tissue engineering requires customized implants based on the receiver’s bone anatomy and defect characteristics. Three-dimensional (3D) printing in small animal orthopedics has recently emerged as a valuable approach in fabricating individualized implants for receiver-specific needs. In veterinary medicine, because of the wide range of dimensions and anatomical variances, receiver-specific diagnosis and therapy are even more critical. The ability to generate 3D anatomical models and customize orthopedic instruments, implants, and scaffolds are advantages of 3D printing in small animal orthopedics. Furthermore, this technology provides veterinary medicine with a powerful tool that improves performance, precision, and cost-effectiveness. Nonetheless, the individualized 3D-printed implants have benefited several complex orthopedic procedures in small animals, including joint replacement surgeries, critical size bone defects, tibial tuberosity advancement, patellar groove replacement, limb-sparing surgeries, and other complex orthopedic procedures. The main purpose of this review is to discuss the application of 3D printing in small animal orthopedics based on already published papers as well as the techniques and materials used to fabricate 3D-printed objects. Finally, the advantages, current limitations, and future directions of 3D printing in small animal orthopedics have been addressed.
Highlights
There is a growing demand in veterinary practice to improve the animal’s quality of life
The results showed the excellent biocompatibility of graphene-based scaffold and the capability of carbon to improve the cell adhesion, growth, and osteogenic differentiation of cADMSCs
There is a vast variety of scale and geometrical variations in veterinary orthopedics; for instance, hip stems for total hip replacement (THR) surgery in humans are typically available in 6 or 7 sizes while canine hip stems are available in 11 or 12 sizes and accommodate small- to large-breed dogs [8,12]
Summary
There is a growing demand in veterinary practice to improve the animal’s quality of life. Many orthopedic conditions in animals are still treated with limb amputations and salvage procedures, resulting in reduced or impaired limb function and decreased quality of life [5] Complex orthopedic disorders such as extensive bone loss, fracture nonunion or malunion, tumors, bone deformities, and large-scale traumatic injuries remain clinical challenges in veterinary practice as conventional surgical techniques usually fail to address these conditions [6,7,8]. 3D printing has emerged as a valuable approach in the manufacturing of individualized implants for receiver-specific needs in human and veterinary orthopedics [12,13]. In orthopedics, DICOM images are the critical connection between 3D printing technologies and receiver-specific medical imaging records. The DICOM Standards Committee is split into many subcommittees (Figure 2)
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