Custom hip stem additive prototyping using smart materials

Abstract

Although a standardized hip joint prosthesis is a quick and easy solution to repair most diseases related to the hip joint, it never satisfies the patient's personal needs due to the uniqueness of the human anatomy. Femoral hip stem geometry is one of the factors that have an important impact on prosthesis lifespan or the revision surgery frequency that occurs due to postoperative complications, such as impingement or dislocation after THR (Total Hip Replacement). In this sense, the development of a custom hip stem prosthesis starting from a standardized femoral stem can bring benefits to the patient in time, being able to reduce the failure percentage of THR. The purpose of this article is the development of a custom prosthesis based on patient's CT (Computer Tomographic) scans in order to be 3D printed with biocompatible materials, being able to serve as a study model in both engineering and medicine. Also this study represents a first step in understanding how to apply the unique distribution of mechanical properties in human bone, in order to manufacture a hip prothesis that can mimic them.