For years, Navy Veteran Earl Buckwalter, 59, endured chronic pain and a limited range of motion that made it difficult for him to sleep and perform daily activities. Traditional treatment options had not provided the relief he needed. However, with the expertise of Office of Advanced Manufacturing’s (OAM) 3D printing team at VISN 12, led by Dr. Katie Schultz, the Veteran’s surgical journey took a remarkable turn.
In VA health care, OAM leads the way in using cutting-edge technologies to improve Veterans’ lives. At Milwaukee VA, OAM’s innovative approach helped a Veteran overcome severe shoulder pain caused by arthritis, thanks to a patient-specific 3D-printed glenohumeral joint model.
Personalized surgical planning with 3D printing
The Veteran was referred to Dr. Karl Scheidt, section chief of orthopedic surgery at Milwaukee VA, who reached out to OAM for assistance. The team used advanced 3D printing technology to create an anatomically accurate model of the Veteran’s shoulder joint tailored to his specific needs. This model played a crucial role in planning hemiarthroplasty, a partial shoulder replacement surgery.
Throughout the process, segmentation specialist Tina Hobach meticulously segmented the Veteran’s CT scan, ensuring the model provided a precise representation of the shoulder anatomy. The 3D-printed model enabled Scheidt to visualize the surgical site, plan the procedure with greater accuracy and potentially improve the Veteran’s outcome.
Improving quality of life through innovation
The impact of the 3D-printed model extended beyond the operating room. Veteran Earl Buckwalter expressed his gratitude: “The model gave me a clear understanding of what was going on. Without it I might not have gone forward with the surgery. Now I’m very pleased with how the whole procedure went.” The model not only potentially helped to reduce surgical risks but also provided the surgical team with a valuable educational tool.
This experience highlights OAM’s commitment to providing personalized, safe and effective care to Veterans. By integrating innovative technologies like 3D printing into routine surgical planning, OAM is setting new standards for precision and patient outcomes across the VA health care system.
