Exactech has successfully completed its first ankle replacement surgeries using the new Vantage Ankle 3D and 3D+ tibial implants. These procedures mark a significant milestone in the use of 3D-printed technology for ankle replacements, offering enhanced benefits for patients and surgeons alike.
The first surgery using the Vantage Ankle 3D+ implant was performed by Dr. James Lachman at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Easton, Pennsylvania. Lachman expressed his enthusiasm for the new technology, stating, “It is exciting to be the first to implant Exactech’s latest ankle products and provide my patients with their differentiating benefits. The Vantage Ankle 3D+ prosthesis particularly stands out with its ability to address a greater variety of cases with simplified instrumentation.”
Innovative 3D-Printed Design for Improved Outcomes
Exactech’s Vantage Ankle 3D and 3D+ implants are designed with tibial stem heights ranging from 10mm to 30mm. The implants benefit from additive manufacturing, which creates a surface that mimics the trabecular structure of cancellous bone, promoting better integration with the surrounding tissue. Additionally, the implants feature spiked pegs and a tall, sharp central cage with varying diameters, all designed to enhance initial fixation during the surgery.
According to Dr. Mark Easley, a surgeon on the Exactech design team, the 3D-printed tibial components and advanced instrumentation work seamlessly with the existing talar component options. He highlighted the benefits of additive manufacturing and the design features that contribute to improved tibial component stability. “Particularly exciting is how the intuitive instrumentation allows for reliable and reproducible insertion of a stemmed tibial component through a routine anterior ankle surgical approach,” said Easley.
Advancing Ankle Replacement with Additive Manufacturing
Exactech’s use of 3D printing in its Vantage Ankle implants represents a notable advancement in orthopedic surgery. By incorporating additive manufacturing, the company aims to improve the precision and effectiveness of ankle replacement procedures, offering patients better outcomes through enhanced implant stability and simplified surgical techniques. These recent surgeries mark a promising development in the future of ankle replacement technology.