Artificial intelligence is increasingly entering medicine. For the first time, doctors from Plovdiv managed to save a man's leg from amputation, after placing a 3D printed artificial joint. Leading orthopedists and surgeons from several hospitals participated in the operation.
53-year-old Tsvetan Nikolov from Sofia is the father of two children. His life turned upside down at the beginning of the year when he heard the terrible diagnosis of chondrosyndrome. The man says that it all started with sudden pains in his right leg.
„The lower leg started to swell and it was more difficult for me to move”, the man told Nova TV.
After several unsuccessful chemo and radiation treatments in two Sofia hospitals, the doctors announced that amputation was next.
The man sought treatment in Plovdiv, where the doctors were able to save his leg by placing a 3D printed artificial joint. It is specially made for Tsvetan.
„It very accurately replaces his real limb. By predicting exactly how much bone to remove. After the operation, there is no more pain, there is no more pressure. And we are glad that already on the fourth day the patient is moving independently, said Prof. Vladimir Stavrev, orthopedic surgeon.
The implant is made of titanium. The expensive 3D prosthesis is not covered by the Health Insurance Fund for patients over 18 years of age. Therefore, in our country, similar operations are still extremely rare.
And Tsvetan will need two more months of rehabilitation to regain his previous gait.