Exactech Uses 3D-Printed Tibial Implants in Ankle Surgeries

Exactech, a medical technology company, has completed ankle replacement surgeries using its new Vantage Ankle 3D and 3D+ tibial implants. James Lachman, MD, of St. Luke's University Health Network, performed an ankle procedure using the implants in late September in Easton, PA.

“It is exciting to be the first to implant Exactech's latest ankle products and provide my patients with their differentiating benefits,” says Lachman. “The Vantage Ankle 3D+ prosthesis particularly stands out with its ability to address a greater variety of cases with simplified instrumentation.”

Exactech's Vantage Ankle 3D and 3D+ tibial implants provide surgeons with tibial stem heights from 10 to 30 mm and the incorporation of 3D printing. Additive manufacturing creates a surface that mimics the trabecular nature of cancellous bone, according to Exactech. With the 3D-printed surface, the implants also have spiked pegs and a tall sharp central cage, with growing diameters for initial fixation.

“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, says.

“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,” Dr. Easley says. “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.”

For more info about the Vantage Ankle 3D and 3D+ tibial implants and Exactech's full foot and ankle portfolio visit www.exac.com/ankle.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.