Design and Manufacture of Innovative Canine trochlear Groove Prosthesis Using Medical Images and 3D Printing Technology

Patello-femoral degenerative joint disease is a kind of chronic arthritis pathology frequently found in cats and dogs. Although it is often ignored, it is one of the most common conditions of canine osteoarthritis, such as patellar dislocation or degeneration and rupture of the cruciate ligament. When the patellar sulcus (groove) is severely affected and/or worn, one of the surgical treatments that attempt to restore the joint stability is the replacement by a trochlear sulcus (groove) prosthesis. The implants are generally made with conventional manufacturing techniques and in massive scries with a standard designed according to the average patient. Problems during the surgery are recurrent since it requires the surgeon to adapt the clinical case to the available prosthesis. This study proposes the use of a three-dimensional (3D) printer that works by polymer additive manufacturing technology. For this reason, it is also necessary to generate 3D anatomic model using medical images and its digital reconstruction technique associated with the customized prosthesis design for each specific clinical case. This technology brings some benefits such as in the cost and mainly in the surgery time, which suggests lower infections incidences, pain in the treated area, and other common problems post-surgery.