Next-Gen Orthopaedic Surgery - Innovations in 3D Printing & Robotics

Next-Gen Orthopaedic Surgery - Innovations in 3D Printing & Robotics

Advancements in biomedical technology have had a great impact on the quality of orthopaedic care available to patients. Patients have lower risk, minimal scarring and quicker recovery times thanks to these advancements. One of the most significant advancements is our use of 3D printing software to create customised orthopaedic implants. 3D printing technology allows us to create complex custom geometries quickly. The current technology has the potential to evolve into bioprinting, wherein living cells could be used to 3D print regenerative implants. Robotics-assisted surgery done by orthopaedic surgeons is also gaining popularity and wide acceptance. It allows for ultra-precision in surgical procedures. Coupled with the use of augmented reality, the surgeon has all the information they need at their finger tips, creating better outcomes for the patient. Smart implants and wearable technology are revolutionising post-operative care by logging and sharing patient data with doctors in real time. They are also useful in the management of chronic pain. Experiments with gene therapy for fracture repair have also been optimistic. It could be very useful in the trauma department in the treatment of complex fractures.

In the field of orthopaedics, technological advancements are greatly improving patient care and outcomes. The way we perform orthopaedic surgeries today is a far cry from traditional open surgery techniques. Innovations in orthopaedic surgery have given many patients a new lease on life. Patients recover faster and have better post-op mobility than ever before. We have improved accuracy and safety in our surgical procedures. Surgeons are now using advanced robotics, computer navigation, augmented reality and artificial intelligence to plan and execute surgeries faster and with more precision. These technologies are particularly useful while treating patients who’s anatomy differs slightly from the norm. Advancements in technology have also improved our systems for follow up consultations and post-operative care. We now have wearable tech that helps us monitor the patients vitals, activity levels and rehabilitation progress remotely, reducing the need for in-person hospital visits.

One of the most significant breakthroughs in orthopaedic technology is the use of 3D printing. This technology allows for completely customised, patient-specific orthopaedic implants to be engineered and printed in a short span of time. The implants, which replace or support damaged bones, are tailored to fit correctly into the patient’s bones. The implants could be used for a joint replacement, or to hold together broken bones while the fracture repairs itself. Data from X-rays, CT scans and MRIs are used to design the implants, leading to a quicker surgery, better fit, and improved comfort and mobility after healing.

3D printing also allows us to create complex geometries that are difficult with traditional manufacturing techniques. An example of this is a porous implant, which is designed for the bone to grow through. This improves integration of the implant with the natural bone and provides better long-term stability, strength and performance. This technology also allows hospitals to prototype and iterate the implant very quickly.

Looking ahead, there is potential for even more advanced applications of 3D printing in the medical field. Research is already being conducted on bioprinting, which is 3D printing with living cells. The structures created through bioprinting are less likely to become corroded or be rejected by the body. Bioprinting also has the potential to create regenerative implants, further revolutionising orthopaedic surgery.

Robotics-assisted surgery is gaining popularity in orthopaedic surgery. This helps surgeons perform procedures with a high level of precision and accuracy. Knee and hip replacements are increasingly done using this technique. Robotic instruments, gyroscopes and pressure sensors help with the placement and alignment of the implants. This is important to ensure the components of the joint fit together perfectly and work smoothly. The precision of the robotic arm helps avoid unnecessary cuts and tissue removal during surgery. This improves recovery time and reduces pain during healing. Robotics-assisted surgery has been useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, developmental hip dysplasia, hip impingement syndrome and osteonecrosis. The technique has been instrumental in improving final patient outcomes in terms of mobility and pain.

Pokemon GO was the first introduction most of us had to the concept of Augmented Reality. Augmented Reality imports virtual data, and superimposes it onto the “real world”. In the context of orthopaedic surgery, Augmented Reality overlays digital information, like data from pre-operative scans, directly onto the surgeon’s field of view during the procedure. This gives the surgeon a 3-dimensional guide that enhances accuracy while they are working. The technology updates itself in real time, allowing the surgeon to visualise the anatomy in greater detail through layers of tissue before they create the incision. This allows them to create placements and incisions within millimetre precision. Augmented reality is also very useful for training and educating surgeons. They get to practice complex procedures in a virtual but realistic, risk-free environment before performing them on patients.

Smart implants are medical devices that collect patient data in real time, transmit this data wirelessly, and react appropriately to improve function and mobility for the patient. Smart implants have sensors which detect temperature, pressure, strain, displacement and even biomarkers like pH level. This data allows doctors to track the progress of healing and recovery. Doctors can also get important information about the loosening of the implant or failure. The on-going feedback from the implant helps us design personalised rehabilitation and physiotherapy programs for the patient. This personalised care is a game changer when it comes to making a full recovery. The data we collect through these implants is useful not just in treating the patient, but also in furthering medical research.

External wearable devices like smart braces also perform similar functions. The difference is that they are not permanently implanted, and can be removed easily once they have done their job. Wearable devices are especially useful in managing chronic pain. They are equipped with electrodes which are placed on the skin and provide electrical stimulus to counteract the pain signals to the brain.

Orthopaedic templating is a process in which surgeons use general templates to size orthopaedic implants for their patients. Using digital templating, the surgeon can visualise a digital replica of the implant on your scans, to the right scale. With advancements in tech, the softwares used to template have become more sophisticated. AI is now being integrated into these softwares, allowing it to generate implant options, size and structures quickly. It also provides better accuracy and easily creates a 3D form which can be 3D printed. The time saved using these advanced technologies could be the difference between saving an accident victim’s leg or having to perform an amputation.

Fractures typically heal on their own. We usually reposition the broken bone fragments in their correct alignment and then immobilise the area. This allows the fracture to heal naturally, undisturbed. However, this doesn’t always work for large fractures. In such cases, we need to intervene and speed up the regrowth of the bone tissue. This is where gene therapy is effective. In order for bones to re-grow they need proteins which encourage the bone cells to multiply. Using gene therapy, scientists can package specific genes, which have been identified as important for producing these proteins, into a carrier like a harmless virus, and inject it at the site of the injury. Once injected, the genes instruct the cells in the area to produce more of the bone-healing proteins. These proteins trigger the multiplication of bone cells, speeding up the process of fracture repair tremendously. Gene therapy gives the body’s natural healing a boost. This revolutionary technique speeds up the process of fracture repair for complex fractures, helping patients recover quickly. This is also a useful technique that can be applied to patients who aren’t strong enough to withstand surgery, because for such patients an implant is not a viable treatment option.

In conclusion, the integration of cutting-edge technologies in orthopaedic care is not only improving surgical precision but also enhancing patient recovery and overall outcomes. At Kauvery Hospital, with branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, our orthopaedic surgeons are committed to leveraging these advancements to provide our patients with the highest standard of orthopaedic care. Explore the future of healthcare with us and experience personalized treatments that cater to your unique needs.

How is 3D printing used in orthopaedic surgery?
3D printing helps create custom implants that fit perfectly, improving surgery success and recovery time.

What are the benefits of robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery?
Robotic-assisted surgery improves precision, reduces tissue damage, and speeds up recovery.

How does augmented reality help in orthopaedic surgery?
Augmented reality gives surgeons a 3D view of the body, improving accuracy and surgical outcomes.

What are smart implants, and how do they work?
Smart implants monitor healing, detect issues, and send real-time data to doctors for better post-op care.

Can gene therapy help in fracture healing?
Yes, gene therapy speeds up bone healing by stimulating cell growth at the fracture site.

How do wearable devices help in pain management?
Wearable devices use electrical stimulation to reduce chronic pain and improve mobility.

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 •  Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801