{"id":204430,"date":"2023-09-07T16:28:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T20:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=204430"},"modified":"2023-09-08T09:21:10","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T13:21:10","slug":"a-3d-printed-solution-for-the-spine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2023\/09\/a-3d-printed-solution-for-the-spine\/","title":{"rendered":"A 3D-Printed Solution for the Spine"},"content":{"rendered":"

A relative few of the world\u2019s spine surgeons are taking an advanced approach to correcting spinal deformities, one that uses imaging and 3D printing to fabricate implants custom to the patient\u2019s anatomy.<\/p>\n

One of them is Dr. Hardeep Singh<\/a> from UConn Health\u2019s Comprehensive Spine Center, the first surgeon in Connecticut to execute a multilevel lumbar fusion with patient-specific interbody devices.<\/p>\n

\"spinal
Edurne Heredia’s hemivertebrae, shown in 2017, is a type of spinal deformity that caused a protrusion from the left side of her lower back, affected her posture, and was a source of chronic pain. (Photo provided by Edurne Heredia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The patient, Edurne Heredia of Manchester, calls the results \u201camazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was at the point I couldn\u2019t handle the pain anymore,\u201d says Heredia, who, it turns out, had been dealing with a severe curvature in her lower spine for decades. \u201cNothing worked. I tried everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

That included physical therapy, injections, even a nerve block. She was advised she\u2019d need to find a specialist in New York or Boston, but the pandemic kept her from traveling. She eventually found her way to Singh, who diagnosed her with hemivertebrae early last year.<\/p>\n

\"images
The surgical plan includes 3D renderings to share with the patient in advance of the procedure. This is a front view demonstrating the correction of Edurne Heredia’s hemivertebrae. (Images provided by Carlsmed with patient’s permission)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t do anything in the house; I couldn\u2019t even do the dishes anymore because of the pain,\u201d Heredia says. \u201cSo I said, \u2018Yeah, let\u2019s do it. I\u2019m in God\u2019s hands and in your hands, Doctor.\u2019 And I did it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her spinal deformity was tilting her to one side. The spaces between her lower vertebrae were a pronounced wedge shape. Standard implants could work, but were not optimal.<\/p>\n

\u201cTypically, this deformity would be addressed by resecting the hemivertebrae and realigning the spine to its native state,\u201d Singh says. \u201cHowever, it requires a larger invasive procedure with significant risks involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

It made Heredia a candidate for a customized solution, using four asymmetric implants designed specifically to fit her anatomy, rather than altering her anatomy to fit standard implants.<\/p>\n

\"image
A patient-specific interbody device (right) is fabricated to the shape of the patient’s anatomy, compared to a standard implant (left). (Image provided by Carslmed)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThis technology allows us to design implants that fit the topography of her spine and allows for a more natural correction of her deformity,\u201d Singh says. \u201cThe surface of the implant is designed such that it mimics the microarchitecture of bone, allowing bone to grow onto the implant as well as through it, thus, providing the stability needed for a fusion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The procedure itself is largely similar to a traditional lumbar fusion with \u201coff-the-shelf\u201d implants.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeformity correction such as this is still a large undertaking, however, this approach provides us with the ability to address each patient\u2019s spinal pathology in a more patient-specific way,\u201d Singh says.<\/p>\n

\"images
The surgical plan includes 3D renderings to share with the patient in advance of the procedure. This is a side view demonstrating the correction of Edurne Heredia’s hemivertebrae. (Images provided by Carlsmed with patient’s permission)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For that, Singh works with California-based Carlsmed to design the patient-specific implants based on the requirements for the patient and the patient\u2019s anatomical images. The process involves generating a three-dimensional model which allow the spinal deformity to be fully visualized and each implant can be specifically designed to provide the correction needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis provides us with the ability to analyze the spinal deformity in a 3D model, understand the drivers of the deformity, and design patient-specific implants which perfectly match the contours of the bone and serve to provide the correction desired,\u201d Singh says. \u201cThe benefit is that it is customized to the patient\u2019s anatomy and prevents any undue stress on the vertebral bodies as would be the case with standard implants. Before even entering the operating room, you have a visual of what the ultimate result will look like and this gives you the ability to modify the plan according to the patient\u2019s needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The visual preview comes with the added benefit of helping patients better understand the procedure and its benefits. They are able to go through the model with their surgeon and understand exactly what will be done and what the ultimate outcome will look like.<\/p>\n

\"Xray
X-rays show Edurne Heredia’s spine before (left) and after correction of hemivertabrae using patient-specific interbody devices. (UConn Health images used with patient’s permission)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAs a spine center, our core philosophy is to individualize all our treatments to each patient\u2019s particular circumstances, anatomy and pathology,\u201d says Dr. Isaac Moss<\/a>, chair of UConn Health\u2019s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and co-director of the Comprehensive Spine Center. \u201cTechnology, such as these custom-printed implants, allows us to take our personalized care to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carlsmed\u2019s 3D-printed titanium \u201caprevo\u201d devices have earned \u201cBreakthrough Device\u201d designation from the Food and Drug Administration<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Heredia, who turns 52 in November, has been working in customer service at the American Airlines counter at Bradley Airport since 1995. It\u2019s a job that requires her to be on her feet all day, and one that constantly reminded her of her discomfort. Missing work for recovery and rehabilitation is taking some adjusting, as does having to scale back her roles outside work as a wife, mother, daughter, and sister.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was always the first one there, but I can\u2019t do it anymore because I\u2019m in pain all the time,\u201d Heredia says. \u201cI want to take care of everybody else, but if I want to do that, I have to take care of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dr.
Dr. Hardeep Singh (left) is the first surgeon in Connecticut to perform a multilevel lumbar fusion with patient-specific interbody devices. His patient is Edurne Heredia (right). (Tina Encarnacion\/UConn Health Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now, 14 months after the surgery, things have improved, but there is still a long road ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pain is easier,\u201d Heredia says. \u201cIt has been reduced. My back is straight. If I\u2019m standing up, you don\u2019t see the bump in my back. It was a bump in the left-hand side of my body. Now, I\u2019m straight. My hip is straight.\u201d<\/p>\n

And while she still has more healing to do and limitations to stay within, Heredia says, \u201cI\u2019m happy with my decision to have this procedure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more about the Comprehensive Spine Center at UConn Health.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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