3D-Printed Prostheses Transform Limb-Salvage Surgery for Bone Cancer Patients
10 February 2026
The institute's orthopaedic oncology team has published outcomes from its pioneering programme using patient-specific 3D-printed titanium prostheses for limb-salvage surgery in bone cancer patients. Among 65 patients treated over three years, the custom implants demonstrated a 94% limb-salvage success rate with significantly improved functional scores compared to conventional off-the-shelf endoprostheses.
Each prosthesis is designed using AI-assisted segmentation of CT and MRI data, allowing precise matching to the patient's anatomy. The porous titanium lattice structure promotes biological fixation through bone ingrowth, reducing the risk of long-term loosening — a common complication with conventional implants.
The programme has been particularly impactful for paediatric patients, where growing endoprostheses can be designed to accommodate skeletal growth, reducing the need for revision surgeries.
Why This Matters
3D-printed prostheses tailored to each patient's anatomy represent a paradigm shift in bone cancer surgery, offering better function, fewer complications, and — for children — the ability to grow with the patient.