Chinese Surgeons 3D Print and Implant an Elbow Joint

Following a crushing work injury, Li Xian-hua of China was left with a barely-functioning left arm. Unbearable pain and the onset of depression led him to Dr. Liang Hai-dong at the Hospital of Dalian Medical University. After examining the case, the doctor realized the best bet to help his 20-year-old patient was 3D printing. Because this was the doctor's first time performing an elbow arthroplasty using 3D printing, he turned to a hospital at Jilin University, which had successfully utilized 3D print techniques to help a patient earlier this year. The entire process, from CT scan to surgery, took much less time than traditional techniques would have done, and post-op Li Xian-hua finally has a healing, functional elbow. See more details in the full article: http://3dprint.com/26026/3d-printed-elbow-joint/ ‎


Below is a photo of Li Xian-hua holding his injured arm:
http://3dprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/elbo2.png