FDA Approves First 3D Printed Ankle Implant to Treat Rare Bone Disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved the Patient Specific Talus Spacer, the world’s first implant designed to replace the talus. This is particularly useful for sufferers of talus avascular necrosis (AVN). The Patient Specific Talus Spacer is a custom 3D printed ankle implant made from cobalt chromium alloy. Each spacer is modeled from computed tomography (CT) imaging, allowing for it to be fitted to each patient’s specific anatomy.

The talus is the bone in the ankle which connects the knee and the foot. If blood supply to the talus is depleted, the bone tissue surrounding it may die resulting in avascular necrosis (AVN). In most cases AVN results from a dislocation, break, or other sudden injury which inhibits the supply of blood to the bone tissue. This is a serious condition which without treatment can cause the bone to collapse either fully or partially. In order to prevent this, as well as the pain that accompanies the disease, there are two main treatments: the joints in the foot and ankle are fused together, eliminating motion in the joint; or below the knee amputation. This 3D printed implant is a joint sparing alternative, with the potential to significantly improve a patient’s quality of life post-surgery compared to traditional methods.

This picture shows avascular necrosis of the talus. (Credit: SciELO)

“Avascular necrosis of the ankle, while a rare condition, is a serious and potentially debilitating one that causes pain and can lead to inhibited motion of the ankle joint, and in some cases, removal of part of the leg,” said Capt. Raquel Peat, Ph.D., M.P.H., USPHS, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health’s Office of Orthopedic Devices. “Today’s action provides patients with a treatment option that could potentially reduce pain, retain range of motion of their joint and improve quality of life.”