When a wrist fracture doesn’t heal properly, it can leave behind more than just discomfort. It can limit mobility, cause long-term pain, and even change the appearance of the wrist. These improperly healed breaks, called malunions, often require surgical correction to restore the wrist’s natural function and shape.
At Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics, orthopedic hand surgeon Dr. Tom Dovan is using an innovative technique to help patients reclaim their quality of life: 3D-printed osteotomy for distal radius malunion. This advanced surgical solution combines orthopedic skill with custom-designed technology to create a more accurate and personalized treatment.
What Is a Distal Radius Malunion?
The distal radius is the part of the forearm bone closest to the wrist. It’s one of the most commonly fractured bones in the body, especially from falls. In some cases, a wrist fracture can heal out of alignment—either due to poor positioning, instability during healing, or removal of a cast too soon. When this happens, the wrist may not move the way it should, and it may cause pain or deformity that interferes with daily life.
This is especially problematic for people whose work or passion relies on precision wrist motion—such as athletes, musicians, or dancers.
The Surgical Innovation: 3D-Printed Osteotomy
Traditionally, osteotomies (surgical bone realignment procedures) are performed using 2D X-rays and the surgeon’s expert judgment. But now, 3D-printing technology is changing the game, giving surgeons greater accuracy and control, tailored to each patient’s exact anatomy.
Here’s how Dr. Dovan’s approach works:
- CT Scanning and Digital Modeling
Both wrists are scanned using CT imaging to create 3D models of the bones. This allows the surgical team to compare the injured wrist with the healthy one and precisely identify the areas that need correction.
- Virtual Surgical Planning
Using advanced planning software, the team maps out the osteotomy in detail, calculating the exact cuts needed to realign the bone and restore proper function.
- Custom 3D-Printed Surgical Guides
Next, custom tools are 3D-printed based on the plan. These surgical guides are made specifically for the patient and help guide each cut and screw placement during surgery.
- Surgical Execution
During the procedure, Dr. Dovan uses the guides to make precise bone cuts and place hardware with accuracy that would be difficult to achieve using traditional methods. The goal is to replicate the healthy wrist’s anatomy as closely as possible.
Why 3D Technology Makes a Difference
This approach offers several advantages compared to conventional methods:
- Tailored Accuracy: Because the surgical plan is based on the patient’s own anatomy, the result is more precise and individualized.
- Reduced Error: Custom guides help ensure that everything is done exactly as planned.
- Improved Recovery: Patients often regain better range of motion and experience less pain when alignment is restored correctly1.
The use of 3D printing in orthopedic surgery reflects a growing trend toward personalized, tech-driven care—one that combines cutting-edge tools with surgical expertise.
Leading the Way at Elite
Dr. Tom Dovan is one of the few surgeons in the region performing this highly specialized technique. His work at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics is helping redefine what’s possible for patients dealing with complex wrist injuries.
Whether you’re a professional athlete or someone who simply wants to move without pain, 3D-printed osteotomy offers a new level of hope—and healing.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dovan, book online or call our office today.
Footnotes
- Giesen, E. B., et al. “Patient-specific 3D planned corrective osteotomies in malunited distal radius fractures.” Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-019-1212-5 ↩
Author: Nick Flory
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