Reinier de Graaf Groep invests in innovative 3-D technology

The department of orthopaedics of the Reinier de Graaf Groep in Delft will be the first clinic in the world to use 3-D motion simulations in preparation of hip operations. With the innovative simulations it is possible for the clinician to see why patients experience pain and what should be done to resolve the problem.

The unique 3-D technology has been developed by Clinical Graphics, a spin-off company of the TU Delft, located at Delft, the Netherlands, and Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), also in The netherland. The new technique will be officially in use from July 5th 2012.

On average 6.5 per cent of the population suffers from pain and function loss in the hip. These complaints may be caused by a deviating shape of the hip joint. With just a radiograph or a CT-scan it may be difficult for an orthopaedic surgeon to confirm that this is indeed the case.

The new 3-D technique of Clinical Graphics changes this. By converting a scan into an animated 3-D picture it becomes clear how the joint is functioning. If a function problem is visible, the computer will also calculate what the surgeon should do to resolve it.
Joint shape

Orthopaedic surgeon Rolf Bloem is enthusiastic about the new possibilities: 'With these animated 3-D images it is easier to see whether pain complaints are the result of a deformity problem in the joint. This also tells you where you have to make adjustments during surgery.

An additional advantage is that the images are easy to understand, making it a great tool to explain patients what is going on in their hip and what benefits a surgical procedure may bring to them.'