Customized 3D-printed prosthesis for reconstruction of complex bilateral traumatic knee bone defects: A case report

Abstract

Composite knee tissue defects involving bone, meniscus, and ligaments caused by high-energy trauma are rare and present significant reconstructive challenges. Herein, we report a case of a 50-year-old woman with bilateral asymmetric knee injuries arising from a traffic accident, including right medial femoral condyle loss with medial collateral ligament (MCL) deficiency, and complex defect involving left-sided bone, meniscus, and MCL, accompanied by degloving injury involving 20% total body surface area. Treatment was performed in the following three stages: debridement, soft tissue coverage, and final reconstruction using data-driven mirror modeling to design patient-specific 3D-printed titanium implants. The right MCL was reconstructed using a LARS artificial ligament. At 12-month follow-up, stable bone– implant integration, flap viability, and functional recovery were observed, with knee flexion of 120° (left) and 80° (right), and Knee Society Scores of 65 and 70. This case highlights the feasibility of personalized 3D-printed implants in complex bilateral knee reconstruction. 

Keywords

3D printing / Knee bone defect / LARS ligament / Medial collateral ligament / Perforator flap

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82302031) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No. ZR2024QH033).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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