Treatment of Advanced Kienböck's Disease Using 3D Printing Assisted Autologous Costochondral Transplantation

Abstract

Case: We describe a patient with advanced Kienböck's disease, treated with 3-dimensional (3D) printing assisted costochondral transplantation. Cartilage shaping was achieved according to a biomimetic 3D-printed prosthesis designed by mirror symmetry of the healthy wrist. The inserted cartilage spacer was fixed using the autologous palmar longus tendon. After 14 months of follow-up, the patient had significant pain relief and had recovered nearly the full range of wrist motion. No significant absorption or osseous metaplasia of the cartilage was seen on the radiographic and magnetic resonance images. Conclusion: This costochondral transplantation strategy may offer a feasible treatment option for patients with severe Kienböck's disease.