Patient-Specific Design of Knee and Ankle Implant: A Short Review on the Design Process, Analysis, Manufacturing, and Clinical Outcomes

Abstract

The knee and ankle are complex structures, with each segment interdependently interacting with the others. Clinical interventions may thus cause functional changes such as joint motion and tissue deformation not only at the modified site but also in the surrounding areas and even throughout the foot. Iatrogenic complications such as joint arthritis, secondary fractures, and foot pain are caused by these abnormal biomechanical changes. Due to increasing osteoarthritis, it has become increasingly important to find solutions to ankle and knee arthroplasty that ensures a more pain free and natural feeling implant. A prosthesis that is precise and component-fitting produces considerable post-operative improvements and shows a high degree of patient satisfaction in the short to medium term. In this paper, we discuss in depth about the design process of the three-dimensional customized implants and the manufacturing process. The clinical outcomes of usage of Patient Specific Implants are also reviewed in short.