Clinical Innovation
Patient-specific 3D implants have already made a real difference in complex canine hip surgery. In cats, however, there is still very little published experience with comparable procedures.
Dr. Spencer Reid, a Maine Coon mix, is the first documented feline patient to undergo a 3D hip shelf arthroplasty. This case indicates that a custom 3D-printed solution can be used safely in cats when both surgical planning and implant design are specifically adapted to feline anatomy.
Diagnosing the Silent Patient
Dr. Spencer Reid was initially presented to the Tiergesundheitszentrum List for a routine dental check. During the general examination, however, the clinicians noted:
Severe hind limb lameness
Clear pain on hip manipulation
Standard radiographs confirmed hip instability, but they were not sufficient for precise surgical planning. Therefore, a high-resolution CT scan with 3D pelvic reconstruction was performed to enable detailed digital planning of the procedure.
A New Implant Design Built for Feline Anatomy
A canine implant concept cannot simply be scaled down for a cat. Compared to dogs, the feline pelvis presents several unique challenges:
Smaller overall dimensions
Finer bone stock
Extremely limited margins for screw placement
Early simulations revealed a significant risk of screw trajectories pointing toward the sacrum. As a result, the surgical team had to abandon the established canine implant design and develop an entirely new implant concept.
The final custom titanium implant was:
Specifically shaped to anchor securely at the acetabulum
Designed to protect surrounding anatomical structures
Fixed using four 1.5 mm locking screws
Surgery with Focus on Function
The procedure was performed by an interdisciplinary surgical team, with particular emphasis on soft tissue preservation.
In cats, essential hip musculature lies directly over the acetabulum and must be handled with extreme care. Thanks to the predefined implant fit and orientation, positioning during surgery was predictable once the joint was exposed.
Intraoperative checks confirmed:
Correct implant alignment
A clear improvement in joint stability
Outcome
Postoperatively, Dr. Spencer Reid showed a cautious but steady recovery. Over the following weeks:
Weight-bearing gradually improved
The hip remained stable
No further subluxations occurred
Now pain-free, he has returned to full activity, including jumping. This case serves as a strong proof of concept for treating complex feline hip disease using CT-based planning combined with patient-specific 3D manufacturing.
Expert Statement
“The successful 3D hip surgery performed on Dr. Spencer Reid marks a milestone in veterinary surgery. It demonstrates that by combining advanced imaging, digital planning, and additive manufacturing, even the most complex feline hip conditions can be successfully treated.”
— Malte Pfohl, TGZ List
Procedure Details
Surgery performed by:
Tiergesundheitszentrum List (Hannover)
Implant system used:
3D HIP
Manufacturer:
Rita Leibinger Medical