First human receives 3D-printed implant developed in veterinary medicine

Five years ago, a 3D-printed titanium implant was placed in a dog's elbow. Thanks to a collaboration between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and the 3D Lab at UMC Utrecht, amputation was avoided. Last Friday, the first step towards human medicine was taken: at the Anna Hospital in Geldrop, a 3D-printed titanium hip socket was implanted for the first time in a 36-year-old man with hip dysplasia.

Bart van der Wal and Björn Meij both specialize in orthopedics, but while Van der Wal treats people, Meij's patients are mostly dogs. In his practice, Van der Wal saw many young people with hip dysplasia who still had symptoms despite previous treatment. In this condition, the hip socket is too shallow, causing the femoral head to partially move out of the socket. 

Hip dysplasia occurs in both dogs and humans, so Van der Wal decided to call his colleagues at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. At the time, he was a surgeon at UMC Utrecht, and he is currently a professor of orthopedics at LUMC in Leiden. Van der Wal: “The idea was simple: if a piece of the hip socket is missing, can't we just print a new edge?” Veterinary surgeon Bjorn Meij was immediately enthusiastic. Meij: "Hip dysplasia can lead to cracks in the cartilage, resulting in inflammation and osteoarthritis. This damage is irreversible. Rapid treatment, often of both hips, is therefore crucial.“ This usually means two major operations in which the surgeon has to cut through the pelvis in three places in order to tilt the hip socket. The dogs then face a painful six-week rehabilitation period for each hip.

The new treatment proved to be a great success in dogs. More than seventy patients have now been treated, dogs ranging from 15 to 90 kilograms. Meij: “Most of them had both hips operated on in a single operation. They are often walking around the clinic again on the same day and can go home with their owners the next day.”

Translation to humans

The paperwork proved to be a major challenge before the first human could be treated in this way. Van der Wal: “We are working with various authorities to obtain permission, documenting every stage of development in detail, patenting the technology, and also producing patient information leaflets.”

Last Friday, the first human was treated. A logical but exciting step, because dogs distribute their weight over four legs, while humans have to distribute their body weight over two legs. It is still unclear what this means for the intensity and duration of the recovery period. The operation took place within a safety study designed to determine the safety of the new procedure. Four other young people with hip dysplasia are expected to receive the new hip socket from the 3D printer. Orthopedic surgeon Rintje Agricola of the Anna Hospital in Geldrop performed the first operation.

One health

This treatment method demonstrates how innovation in veterinary medicine can contribute to human health. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine remains committed to innovative veterinary care and research, whereby the insights gained can contribute to solutions for both humans and animals.

Video: 3D Implants for our animals