Another success in medicine. With the help of artificial intelligence, doctors from Plovdiv managed to save a cancer patient's leg from amputation. A 3D printed artificial joint was placed. Leading orthopedists and surgeons from several hospitals participated in the operation. The special prosthesis is diamond-coated.
59-year-old Mariyana Georgieva is a medical paramedic at the Emergency Department in Varna. Her life turned upside down two years ago. While climbing the steps to her workplace, she felt a severe pain in her leg. A month later she heard the terrible diagnosis.
„Lung tumor. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed, which generally affected her well”, says Mariyana Georgieva.
However, the tumor had spread to her right leg and she could only move with crutches. Doctors said that amputation was necessary, but the woman refused and sought treatment in Plovdiv, where doctors managed to save her leg by inserting a 3D printed artificial joint. It was specially made for Mariyana.
“Unlike modular implants, it copies her anatomy in the most accurate way. This is the future, this is something that is done in Europe and across the ocean”, said Prof. Vladimir Stavrev, a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology.
The implant is made of titanium alloy and has a special diamond coating. The expensive 3D prosthesis is not covered by the Health Insurance Fund for patients over 18 years of age. And the paramedic, standing on the other side of the health system, sees what the patients are facing.
“It is quite difficult to raise such funds, it is not a small amount. In Bulgaria it is very difficult to find orthopedic specialists who deal with tumor diseases”, explained Mariana Georgieva.
And in order for her to be able to walk again, she will have to make a little more effort.
“The most important thing is rehabilitation for this patient, so that he can recover within about a month and a half and be able to take care of himself”, explained Dimitrios Maroulas, orthopedic surgeon.