Influence of 3D Printing Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of Veterinary Implants Used for the Treatment of CCL Rupture

The most common injury in dogs, especially medium and large breeds, is a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture at the knee joint. It is possible to reconstruct an injury using innovative implants made with 3D printing technologies from biodegradable material. The selected material must be biocompatible and have an appropriate degradation rate to reduce the risk of reoperation, and the treated bone could regenerate and heal. The properties of the implant are also influenced by the design and printing parameters. Therefore, this article aimed to assess 3D printing parameters on the properties of novelty implant construction. Used implants were made of polylactide (PLA) designed by Cabiomede. The geometry of the implants was adapted to medium-breed dogs. Five types of implants, differing only in printing parameters, were printed using the FDM method. To reflect the real conditions, the implants were divided into sterilization and 8, and 12 weeks soaked in Ringer's solution. As part of the research, microscopic observations, surface wettability, roughness, Shore hardness, and static compression were carried out. Polymer equivalents of traditional metal implants can be successfully used in surgical procedures and they comply with the requirements of physicochemical and mechanical properties.