COMPUTER ASSISTED SURGICAL PLANNING IN THR AND FABRICATION OF HIP PROSTHESES VIA ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES.

The aim of this study is to describe a novel methodology on application of virtual reality (VR) techniques and additive manufacturing technologies in pre-planning and improving total hip replacement (THR) surgery. VR techniques and computer assisted surgical planning enables the simulation of the THR operation and virtual implantation of hip prostheses. Considering important parameters such as fill and fit criteria, CCD and anteversion angles, and femoral offset, that affect prosthesis durability and efficiency, virtual implantation helps to select the proper prosthesis. In order to demonstrate the importance of the novel methodology, a case study on virtual implantation of standard cementless hip prosthesis and a custom-made hip prosthesis is compared and presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]