3D-printed bone replaces crushed fingertip

This summer, Dr. Daniel Penello of Alexander Orthopaedic Associates performed the first surgery of its kind in the U.S., using a 3D-printed titanium implant to replace a shattered bone in patient Robert Smith’s finger.

Previously Smith’s options were amputation or living with a shattered bone, but the customized prosthesis presented a new option. Two months later, Smith has returned to his ironworker job.

As news stations covered the story, Alexander Orthopaedic saw a spike in website visitors along with many phone calls. Among them: A South Florida man with a severely injured thumb who is now a patient.

– Kyle Parks, B2 Communications