Applications and Effectiveness of 3D Printing in Various Ankle Surgeries: A Narrative Review

Background: Technological advancements have made three-dimensional printing prevalent in orthopedic surgery. It facilitates the production of customized implants and tailored patient instruments, enhancing surgical planning and results. This review focuses on the uses and effectiveness of patient-specific products manufactured using three-dimensional printing in ankle surgery. Methods: A search of databases-PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar-yielded 41 articles for review. Results: Total talus replacement offers a viable alternative to standard treatments like arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty. Custom implants and patient-specific instrumentation in total ankle arthroplasty procedures guarantee a tailored fit and accurate alignment. For arthrodesis, three-dimensional printing enables the production of cages, effectively solving issues associated with conventional bone grafts, such as poor bone quality, significant defects, and nonunion. Additionally, patient-specific instrumentation facilitates the swift and accurate placement of Kirschner wires at the correct sites. When performing supramalleolar osteotomy, patient-specific instrumentation leads to shorter operation times, reduced blood loss, and less radiation exposure. Conclusions: Three-dimensional printing is increasingly employed in ankle surgeries, and as technology advances, it is anticipated to become critical for addressing complex ankle issues.