On May 30, 2019 Dr. Daniel Penello successfully completed a 3D-printed finger bone transplant, the very first surgery of its kind in the nation.
After seeing a patient with a crushed finger, Dr. Penello was determined to find a solution that was better than the traditional alternatives: do nothing, or amputate.
After careful consideration, Dr. Penello conceived the innovative idea of creating a 3D implant made with surgical-grade metal to replace the patient’s missing bone. The process started with Dr. Penello meticulously designing the implant so that it would fit the patient’s finger perfectly while being strong enough to withstand the forces it would be exposed to during pinching and gripping activities.