Objective To summarize the application progress of three-dimensional (3D) printed metal prosthesis in joint surgery. Methods The related literature was extensively reviewed. The effectiveness of 3D printed metal prosthesis in treatment of joint surgery diseases were discussed and summarized, including the all key issues in prosthesis transplantation such as prosthesis stability, postoperative complications, bone ingrowth, etc. Results 3D printed metal prosthesis has good matching degree, can accurately reconstruct and restore joint function, reduce operation time, and achieve high patient satisfaction in short- and medium-term follow-up. Its application in joint surgery has made good progress. Conclusion The personalized microporous structure prostheses of different shapes produced by 3D printing can solve the problem of poor personalized matching of joints for special patients existing in traditional prostheses. Therefore, 3D printing technology is full of hope and will bring great potential to the reform of orthopedic practice in the future.
ObjectiveTo conduct a comprehensive analysis of proximal humeral anatomical characteristics in the Chinese population utilizing three-dimensional reconstruction technology, thereby establishing an evidence base for the enhancement of shoulder hemiarthroplasty procedures and the development of domestically manufactured prostheses. Methods The study cohort comprised 30 patients (60 shoulders) presenting with cervicoscapular pain between July 2023 and June 2025, with equal gender distribution (15 males and 15 females); age distribution ranged from 20 to 75 years (mean, 53.7 years). Data acquisition was performed via high-resolution CT imaging (technical parameters: slice thickness 0.625 mm, voltage 120 kV, current 150 mA, matrix 512×512). Subsequently, CT datasets were processed in DICOM format using Mimics17.0 software for three-dimensional reconstruction, followed by quantitative assessment via Imageware12.0 software to evaluate key proximal humeral parameters: humeral head dimensions (coronal diameter, sagittal diameter, surface curvature diameter, thickness), angular measurements [neck-shaft angle, retroversion angle (retroversion angle 1 was the angle between the humeral head axis and the line connecting the medial and lateral condyles, and retroversion angle 2 was the angle between the humeral head axis and the tangent of the trochlea)], and positional metrics (medial offset, posterior offset). Statistical analysis incorporated Pearson correlation coefficients to determine parameter relationships, with comparative evaluations conducted across demographic variables including gender, height, body mass, and age. Results Quantitative analysis yielded the following measurements: humeral head coronal diameter (41.8±3.6) mm, sagittal diameter (39.1±4.1) mm, surface curvature diameter (44.9±4.6) mm, thickness (17.2±1.8) mm, neck-shaft angle (128.4±4.2)°, retroversion angle 1 (16.9±8.9)°, retroversion angle 2 (21.4±11.3)°, medial offset (3.8±1.7) mm, and posterior offset (5.1±1.6) mm. Correlation analysis demonstrated the most pronounced positive relationship between humeral head surface curvature diameter and thickness (r=0.966), with additional significant positive correlations observed between surface curvature diameter and coronal diameter (r=0.842), posterior offset and retroversion angle (r=0.766), and coronal diameter and thickness (r=0.727). Demographic analysis revealed significantly greater dimensions in males compared to females for humeral head surface curvature diameter, coronal diameter, sagittal diameter, and thickness (P<0.05), with these parameters demonstrating progressive increases corresponding to height (P<0.05). With the exception of neck-shaft angle, all parameters exhibited a positive correlation with body mass. No significant age-related differences were detected across parameters (P>0.05). Conclusion The proximal humeral morphology in the Chinese population exhibits substantial variability, necessitating optimization of prosthetic designs based on population-specific anatomical metrics to enhance the efficacy of personalized clinical interventions.