A hand surgeon at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has carried out four wrist corrective operations in a single day with the help of 3D printing technology.
In a national first, Akshay Malhotra, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Hand and Wrist Surgery at UHNM, was able to correct the deformity of the previously broken bones in the wrist of four patients with bespoke titanium 3D-printed plates.
The procedures, known as distal radius corrective osteotomies, took place at the recently-opened North Midlands Hand Centre at County Hospital in Stafford.
Mr Malhotra said: “Distal radius fractures are one of the most common fractures in adults. Most are treated successfully with a cast with no long-term problems.
“However, for some patients, the wrist bone heals with a deformity which may be painful or lead to weakness. This subgroup of patient might require surgery to correct the underlying deformity.”
He added: “Carrying out four operations in the same day has benefits for both UHNM and the patient.
“This requires a lot of complex kit which can be brought to the North Midlands Hand Centre for use on the same day rather than being done on multiple days to avoid additional cost.
“This also enables theatre staff to be trained more efficiently.
“From a patients’ perspective, they have the advantage of specialised and experienced staff looking after them.”
The North Midlands Hand Centre opened in July and its team has since operated on more than 200 cases covering a wide a variety of elective and trauma procedures. This has enabled UHNM to reduce waiting times for hand and wrist surgery.
The wrist corrective operations carried out by Mr Malhotra involved using computer software to rebuild the forearm and a bespoke plate being printed using powdered titanium.
Kelly Beardmore, aged 45, from Rocester, was one of the four patients under Mr Malhotra who had surgery on a broken wrist.
She said: “I suffered a displaced fracture three years ago when I went outside to clean the windows and fell over fresh air landing on my hands.
“I couldn’t use my hand properly or lift or hold anything for long periods of time. Now I have a straight wrist with no lumps or bumps.
“I’ve received exceptional care under Mr Malhotra and the lovely staff at the North Midlands Hand Centre. I was expecting the procedure to be a bit daunting, but it was fine, I even looked at it being carried out a few times.”
Lesley Andrews, aged 55, from Rugeley, who broke her wrist two years ago falling at home, added: “I was terrified about it, but it was a lot better than I thought.
“The care at the Hand Centre was excellent and the friendly staff really put me at ease.”
