Bone-Anchored Prosthetics Set To Improve Comfort And Mobility

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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Bone-Anchored Prosthetics Set To Improve Comfort And Mobility

Over two million people in the United States live with limb loss, and 1.7 million of those use a prosthetic limb: an artificial part that replaces the missing limb. Bone-anchored prosthetics are an exciting innovation in this area that surgically attach to the bone through a metal implant. This direct connection helps the prosthetic feel like part of the body, which makes it more comfortable and natural to use. Traditionally, prosthetic limbs are attached with a socket that fits over the remaining limb, but this can be uncomfortable and tricky to move around with. On top of this, advancements in 3D printing also mean these implants can be custom-made for a precise fit, which makes an even bigger difference in comfort and mobility for patients in their daily lives. 

Bone-anchored prosthetics: how they connect to the body

Bone-anchored prosthetics work through a process called “osseointegration”. This is where a metal implant is inserted straight into the bone; over time, the bone grows directly around the implant, and it essentially becomes part of the body. The implant then functions as a strong, permanent foundation to hold the prosthetic in place. This setup works just like the body naturally would. So, for example, if you take a step with a bone-anchored leg prosthetic, the force is transferred directly from the bone to the metal implant. This is in contrast to traditional socket prosthetics, which often put pressure on the surrounding soft tissue and cause sore spots that are difficult to put weight on. There’s less irritation or soreness with bone-anchored prosthetics. They actually lead to fewer instances of phantom limb as the wearer tends to think of their prosthesis as part of themselves.

Titanium implants for biocompatibility

Usually, the metal used for these implants is titanium. It’s a great choice because it’s biocompatible with bone tissue, which means bone cells easily grow onto it. In fact, titanium implants consequently have a very high success rate, with 96.4% still going strong after ten years. Those who manufacture implants typically buy titanium metal that’s medical grade. This is because different types of titanium vary in their biocompatibility, and not all are suitable for use in the human body. Another benefit of titanium implants is that they’re strong yet lightweight, which means they can handle the impact of daily movement. At the same time, they don’t strain or irritate surrounding body parts. All this together improves movement and mobility, so people can move more comfortably in everyday life.

Custom 3D-printed implants for bone-anchored prosthetics

Bone-anchored prosthetics can even be made using 3D printing, so the implant is custom made for each patient. This process starts with a scan of the patient’s bone, which is used to create a digital model of the implant. Then, the 3D printer creates the implant, complete with a porous surface to help the bone grow onto it. The result is an implant that fits perfectly when attached to the bone, and, therefore, gives the prosthetic limb a more natural feel. This technique has already been successful in other medical areas. For example, in cases of humerus reconstruction, pediatric patients who were fitted with 3D-printed titanium implants ended up with the bone and implant fusing together in just eight months. No major complications occurred, nor were any adjustments needed. As 3D-printed implants can be shaped for a precise fit, they can create a stronger, more natural-feeling connection for the prosthetic. 

Bone-anchored prosthetics represent a major breakthrough in medical technology. With advancements in 3D printing, these prosthetics can also be custom-fit to the bone for a stronger, more stable connection. Together, these technologies can help patients move more naturally and comfortably, which can really improve their quality of life.