Evaluating functional outcomes and quality of life in musculoskeletal tumor patients with distal femoral megaprostheses: a case-control study.

Background: Endoprosthetic knee replacement using megaprostheses has become a common strategy for preserving joint function in patients with distal femur tumors. While existing literature has primarily focused on surgical techniques, complications, and implants, recent improvements in patient survival rates have sparked increased interest in the long-term functional outcomes associated with this treatment.

Methods: This case-control study evaluated functional outcomes-Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), knee flexor and extensor muscle strength, and sagittal knee range of motion-and health-related quality of life (SF-36) between patients with distal femoral megaprostheses (n = 31) and healthy controls (n = 48).

Autoclave sterilization of an in-house 3D-printed polylactic acid piece: biological safety and heat-induced deformation.

Aims: Fused filament fabrication 3D printing with polylactic acid filaments is the most widely used method to generate biomodels at hospitals throughout the world. The main limitation of this manufacturing system is related to the biomodels' temperature sensitivity, which all but prevents them to be sterilized using conventional methods. The purpose of this study is to define an autoclave temperature-resistant FFF-PLA 3D printing protocol to print 3D fractures biomodels during preoperative planning.