Three-Dimensional Printing of the Patellofemoral Joints of Patellar Instability Patients

Brian G Beitler; Kristin E Yu; Annie Wang; David B Frumberg; Steven M Tommasini; Daniel H Wiznia; Daniel R Cooperman; Lisa L Lattanza; John P Fulkerson

doi:10.1016/j.eats.2022.11.023

Three-Dimensional Printing of the Patellofemoral Joints of Patellar Instability Patients

Arthrosc Tech. 2023 Feb 27;12(3):e401-e406. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2022.11.023. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Authors

Brian G Beitler¹, Kristin E Yu¹, Annie Wang², David B Frumberg¹, Steven M Tommasini¹, Daniel H Wiznia¹, Daniel R Cooperman¹, Lisa L Lattanza¹, John P Fulkerson¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A.
² Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) modeling and printing comprise an important tool for orthopaedic surgeons. One area in which 3D modeling has the potential to dramatically improve our understanding of biomechanical kinematics is pathologies of the patellofemoral joint, in particular trochlear dysplasia. We describe a method for creating 3D printed models of the patellofemoral joint, including computed tomography image acquisition, image segmentation, model creation, and 3D printing. The models created can help surgeons understand and plan surgery for recurrent patellar dislocations.