A young Rottweiler has been given a new lease on life following innovative, groundbreaking prosthetic surgery. Fitted with a printed artificial foot, three-year-old Covid went from facing a life of disability, to regaining his mobility and quality of life.
When Covid first arrived at Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in South Africa, he had a severe and debilitating injury to his right front paw. It was a nerve-wracking time for everyone because the conventional treatment for such an extensive wound would normally be amputation. Lead surgeon Dr Klaas-Jan van de Wetering knew this would not be the greatest solution because of the challenges faced by large breed dogs with only one front limb. So he and his team looked for an answer that would ensure Covid maintained his quality of life.
After intense research, they decided on a partial amputation that would make Covid an ideal candidate for “intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis” (ITAP) surgery. This pioneering procedure involves creating and printing a prosthetic implant that integrates with the amputated limb, allowing for the attachment of an artificial foot. Simply put, an implant was placed in Covid’s bone, exiting the skin where a prosthetic foot could be attached. Getting a perfect fit was imperative, so a 3D implant was first printed in plastic for evaluation on a printed model of the limb. After minor adjustments, the final implant was 3D-printed in titanium.
Covid’s landmark surgery was a success and he has since returned to his playful self. His relieved guardians say he is walking and running with their other dogs and does not appear to be in any pain. Although periodic replacements of the prosthetic foot will be required, Covid can now look forward to a happy, active life
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