By Eddie Krassentein
The medical uses of 3D printing are continuing to grow at a rapid rate. Whether it is using the technology to actually 3D print prostheses, or using it to create surgical guides and models prior to surgery, 3D printing is well on its way to being used in hospitals all around the world. While the United States and much of Western Europe have been at the forefront of medical 3D printing, one country that certainly could be right up there with the leaders is China. It seems as though we report on another successful story coming out of this Asian nation on a weekly basis, and today is no different.
Doctors at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, a huge 569,200 square foot facility, have now completed a hip replacement surgery, with the help of 3D printing.
A 42-year-old woman, named Ms. Zhao, who lives in Jimsar County, in Xinjiang, China, had been suffering from severe hip pain. In fact, 3 years ago the pain began to become so severe that she could hardly walk any longer. She had gone from hospital to hospital, looking for a solution, but could not find anything that would ease the pain. One hospital even completely misdiagnosed her as having a herniated disc in her spine. However, earlier this month, Zhao visited the Fifth Affiliate Hospital and to her excitement found a doctor who could help.
Liu Depeng, director of the hospital’s orthopedics department, found that Zhao, who had a significant limp to her walk, was suffering from congenital displocaiton of the hip.
