Joint replacement 3D printing stem cells

Hello @roberttaylor123. I apologize for this late reply. If you don't mind sharing, could you tell us more about your elbow issues? Are you interested in learning more about 3D printing for joint replacements or is this something that you have spoken with your medical provider about? You mentioned you had parts of both the radius and humerus heads removed. How does that affect your functionality?

I have radial head removed and ulnar shortening at wrist also had shoulder reconstruction due to weak rhomboid back muscles and shoulder gerdle just wolves around , have average twisting either way at forearm just bear right angle can’t touch shoulder and can’t straighten making so so bad when sleeping every night walking and doing daily task basically a challenge to use at all times . I have been looking into 3D printing joints and stem cell 3D printing. My last surgeon said this is end of road because if we put in a new radial head the end of the humerus hasn’t had weight on it for so many years so it will be soft and spongy and won’t be able to handle the weight so I’m looking at anything to help me really .

I did some research on Mayo Clinic's site and found this video interesting, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hip-replacement/multimedia/vid-20078391. Although it is for the hip and the 3D printing was used to send to the manufacturing company to make parts, it does demonstrate that 3D printing is being used to better create prostheses for patients. Here is another resource that may shed light on where the research is going, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5778284/. I was not able to find any active clinical trials like you had mentioned, but that may be something you could speak to with your provider.