Case Study: University of Southampton achieves successful hip re‑revision and restored independence with Materialise's aMace 3D‑printed implant

Life-transforming hip surgery makes 81 year Old Sing and Whistle Again

The University of Southampton faced a complex hip re‑revision for an 81‑year‑old patient with a Paprosky type 3B acetabular defect and very limited posterocranial bone stock after prior revision failures. To address the high failure risk of re‑revisions, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr. Douglas Dunlop collaborated with Materialise to evaluate a personalized 3D solution using Materialise’s aMace implant and SurgiCase surgical planning services.

Materialise’s clinical engineers worked with the surgeon to design and 3D‑print a patient‑specific aMace implant, instruments, drill guides and anatomical models, enabling precise preoperative planning and intraoperative placement. The Materialise solution restored the hip’s center of rotation, achieved a stable reconstruction despite limited bone, produced a successful re‑revision, prevented any further revisions so far, and delivered a dramatic improvement in the patient’s independence and quality of life.

University of Southampton

Douglas G Dunlop

Honorary Professor of Orthopaedics