Russia Performs World-First Shoulder Surgery With 3D-Printed Implant Under Local Anesthesia
Doctors in Nizhny Novgorod restored a patient’s joint using a custom titanium prosthesis — without general anesthesia.
In a medical first for Russia, surgeons at the Volga District Medical Center of the FMBA successfully replaced a damaged section of a patient’s shoulder bone with a custom 3D-printed titanium implant — and did it under local anesthesia. The operation significantly reduced stress on the patient’s body while maintaining full precision and control.
The case marks a major milestone in personalized orthopedics and demonstrates how additive manufacturing combined with advanced anesthesia techniques can make complex surgeries safer and more comfortable.
The patient, a 23-year-old man suffering from recurring shoulder dislocations after an old injury, underwent extensive diagnostics before the medical team decided to reconstruct only the damaged fragment of the bone, rather than replace the entire joint.
A “Titanium Baby” Fixed With Two Screws
The procedure began with a CT scan to capture a detailed model of the patient’s joint. Engineers then used those scans to design a perfectly fitted 3D model, which was printed in titanium. The miniature implant — affectionately called the ‘titanium baby’ by surgeons — was secured with just two screws, allowing for a minimally invasive procedure.
Instead of general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist used precisely guided local anesthesia under continuous ultrasound control, a method that requires exceptional skill.
Doctors expect the patient to make a full recovery and return to an active lifestyle soon.
This breakthrough shows how 3D printing and digital modeling are transforming surgery — allowing doctors to rebuild the human body with millimeter accuracy, while reducing trauma, cost, and recovery time.
