Exactech, a leader in medical technology, announced the successful completion of the first ankle replacement surgeries using its new Vantage Ankle 3D and 3D+ tibial implants.
Dr. James Lachman of St. Luke’s University Health Network performed the first ankle surgery with the new implants in Easton, Pennsylvania. These implants offer surgeons improved options for treating patients with ankle replacements, particularly through the use of additive manufacturing technologies.
“It is exciting to be the first to implant Exactech’s latest ankle products and provide my patients with their differentiating benefits,” said Lachman. “The Vantage Ankle 3D+ prosthesis particularly stands out with its ability to address a greater variety of cases with simplified instrumentation.”
The Vantage Ankle 3D implants from Exactech enable individual adaptation to the patient’s anatomy. 3D printing is used to create a surface that mimics the trabecular tissue of the bone, which improves the integration and stability of the implant. In addition, the implants have sharp pins and a central cage that facilitates initial fixation. These technologies are particularly suitable for use in more complex cases, as they promote improved accuracy of fit and faster healing.
“Last week, nearly 8 years to the day following the first Vantage Ankle implantation, Jim Nunley and I are excited to have immediately followed Jim Lachman’s experience with two Vantage Ankle 3D+ total ankle arthroplasties at Duke,” Exactech Design Team Surgeon Mark Easley, MD, said.
In addition to the implants, Exactech also offers a range of technologies that support the precise placement of the prostheses. These include the ExactechGPS ankle navigation system, which facilitates surgery and ensures improved accuracy during implant placement. The introduction of these technologies is part of a wider wave of innovation in foot and ankle surgery, which has already seen Exactech launch several new products and solutions this year.
“After several years of developing the 3D+ tibial component with the outstanding Exactech engineers and other design team surgeons, Jim, Jim [Lachman] and I are pleased how the new tibial components and instrumentation seamlessly melded with the existing talar component options. The additive manufacturing, and the press-fit pegs and augmented central cage afford satisfying initial 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.”
The successful implementation of the new implants shows how 3D printing in medical technology opens up new possibilities for individualized and more precise treatments.
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