Shoulder surgery uses 3D printing for the first time
A pioneering shoulder replacement operation with a 3D-printed joint has helped improve a patient’s mobility.
Surgeons within trauma and orthopaedics at Basildon Hospital made a 3D scan of the patient’s shoulder and then printed the personalised joint - the first time the method has been used at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
The patient was Margaret McToldridge, 68, from South Ockendon, and before the operation she had limited movement in her right arm and could not reach across far enough to touch her left hand side or turn on a tap.
She said: “The outcome has been unbelievable. It’s great to have the movement back in my arm and it has made such an improvement to my day-to-day life. The whole team of surgeons were amazing I can’t thank them enough.”
Dimitrios Tsekes, consultant in trauma and orthopaedics, shoulder and elbow, said: “We’ve provided a highly specialised service to a patient who otherwise may have had to travel to London for the surgery, and we already have other local patients with severe shoulder defects and osteoarthritis who may also be able to benefit from this procedure.”