Thanks to 3D printing, orthopedic surgeons can now get their hands on the bones of patients before they reach the operating table. Models of their patients’ bones are giving these surgeons a new perspective by providing them with more information than was previously available on flat scans of an individual, reports Medical Xpress. By scanning the actual anatomy of their patients, doctors are now able to print replicas of the patients’ bones and use the 3D printed versions as practice before performing the actual surgery.
Doctors are even sharing the models with their patients as a way to educate them of the upcoming surgery, in an attempt to give them deeper understanding and perhaps place them at ease before the big day. Offices across UC San Francisco and various other affiliated health care organizations are now utilizing this technology in their practices. Alan Dang, who is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery, spoke with reporters, further explaining the current use of 3D printing in orthopedic surgery.
In fact, this new technology is becoming popular among many health care practices. Radiologists, dentists, prosthetists, and pediatric cardiologists are making use of 3D printing as a tool for enriching education, thereby improving patient care.
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