Herrick J. Siegel, M.D., professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, was recently featured in Orthopedics Today–an orthopedic news journal of which Siegel is a co-editor.

The article, titled “Surgeons push barriers with 3D printing for bone tumors,” features several renowned orthopaedic oncologists and discusses “technological improvements and novel applications of [3D printing] that may help change the way cancerous tumors are treated.”

In the article, Siegel discusses the benefit of a custom implant’s ability to preserve the joint.

“If a malignant bone tumor is close to a joint but not actually involving the joint, preoperative planning software allows us to execute a plan that can preserve the joint without sacrificing a sufficient tumor margin,” says Siegel. “A 3D custom implant can be made to exactly fit the bone defect created by the tumor resection and still preserve a functional joint. I prefer to avoid replacing the joint if we can still maintain a negative margin; this will more likely restore normal biomechanics of the involved extremity.”

Siegel, the only surgeon at UAB currently offering them, recently completed his 100th 3D-printed acetabular implant. UAB has some of the most extensive experience with these custom implants. 

Siegel also notes that custom pelvic implants are a last resort for patients with massive pelvic bone loss who are unable to have a standard hip replacement procedure.

“They are highly successful; however, they do have about a 20 percent risk of complications that are most commonly due to infection and dislocation,” says Siegel. “We are working on ways of minimizing the complications for these patients, but the 80 percent of patients that do not have these issues are extremely successful.”