3D-printed spinal implants are customized to relieve your back pain
December 19, 2025
For decades, spinal fusion has been the best option for patients facing chronic back pain caused by damaged discs, spinal instability, or deformities that put excessive stress on the spine. Stabilizing the spine by attaching rods, screws, cages, and other hardware to hold the bone in place helps with movement and prevents further damage. In most cases, off-the-shelf implants work just fine, but every person's spine is unique. When the standard hardware doesn’t conform to the patient’s body exactly, it can potentially create further strain on the back later.
Thankfully, medical innovation has come a long way in recent years, and treatments today can be much more personalized.
At the UT Southwestern Spine Center, we have the option of using advanced tools to create custom spinal implants for patients. As the first medical center in Dallas to offer this service, patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery can receive hardware designed to fit their anatomy exactly. With these implants, patients are less likely to need more surgeries or face new problems with their spine. This helps people feel better, move more freely, and do what they love for longer.
Back pain can be debilitating, particularly for those suffering from scoliosis or degenerative disc issues. Learn how Ronak Desai, M.D., Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, and spine surgeons at UT Southwestern are utilizing artificial intelligence for 3D-printed custom implants. Like a key fitting precisely into a lock, these tailored implants are leading to faster recoveries and better outcomes, helping patients get back to activities they once thought were out of reach.
What spinal problems can patient-specific implants treat?
When the spine’s structure is compromised, it can cause more than just bad posture. Spinal deformities often lead to symptoms such as:
- Back and neck pain
- Muscle fatigue
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Balance issues
- Difficulty looking straight ahead
- Issues with daily activities or functional independence
If the spine is misshapen and needs to be realigned or fused, custom implants can help. This applies to many common spinal conditions, including:
- Scoliosis, a side-to-side curve in the spine, usually shaped like an S or C
- Spondylolisthesis, when one vertebra slips out of place over another
- Sagittal plane imbalance, when the spine curves too much or not enough from front to back
- Kyphosis, a forward curve in the upper spine, causing a hunchback or slouching position
Every patient’s spine is different, so some cases can be treated with injections or less invasive procedures. More serious problems may need surgery involving equipment to support and reshape the spine. In those cases, patient-specific implants offer an evolution of the usual hardware that can lead to better results.
Better results with patient-specific implants
Not all spinal fusions require implants, but when they do, surgeons typically install standard, mass-produced implants. These parts come in different sizes and shapes, but options are limited. While they may solve the problem temporarily, they don’t always match the shape of the patient’s spine. That mismatch can lead to issues later.
In scoliosis, for example, the vertebra often tilts at an angle. Over time, this causes one side of the spine to wear down more than the other. Off-the-shelf implants aren’t designed to handle these cases where there’s less bone on one side than the other.
In recent years, I’ve helped design about 200 personalized implants and have seen firsthand how custom hardware makes a big difference for patients:
- Fewer follow-up surgeries: Patients with custom implants are three times less likely to need another surgery. Compared to traditional hardware, these implants help the spine move more naturally. This eases stress on other parts of the spine, lowering the likelihood of needing another operation in the next five years. With custom implants, someone in their 40s could maintain the same performance into their 60s or 70s.
- More predictable results: Because each implant fits the patient’s spine exactly, surgeons can plan procedures better and use less invasive methods. This minimizes complications while maximizing successful results.
- Better movement with less strain: Custom implants support smoother motion after recovery and reduce stress on other parts of the spine.
“Nothing is off the shelf. Everything is pre-designed and pre-templated for each specific patient. It’s really a very patient-centric correction.”
Ronak Desai, M.D., Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurological Surgery at UT Southwestern
How personalized spinal implants are made
Depending on how complex the spinal problem is, it can take several weeks or even months to design and build the specific pieces needed.
- CT scan – Doctors often start with a computed tomography (CT) scan, which takes detailed X-ray images of the spine from multiple angles. These scans help diagnose the issue and guide treatment planning.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) modeling – The CT images are fed into special software powered by AI, which creates a 3D model of the patient’s spine.
- Virtual planning – The spine specialist repositions the bones on the virtual model to show how the spine should look after surgery.
- Implant design – The AI software analyzes the changes, finds any gaps, and designs hardware to fit based on the plans from the surgeon. It accounts for everything needed, such as support cages, rods, and screws to keep the pieces secure.
- 3D printing – An outside company 3D prints the titanium cages needed to match the patient’s anatomy. Rods and screws are also measured to fit precisely.
The final implants fit the spine like puzzle pieces, lining up almost perfectly with the shape of the bone. When the surgeons receive the hardware, they know each component will match the surgical plan exactly.
What to expect during spinal fusion surgery
Before deciding whether spinal fusion with custom implants is the right option for you, your doctor will begin with a full imaging review. In addition to CT scans, they may order X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or bone density scans. These images help build a detailed 3D model of your spine, showing bone structure, soft tissue health, and overall spinal alignment.
If the scans show serious deformity or instability, your doctor may recommend spinal fusion. At that point, they’ll begin planning the surgery and designing implants tailored to your anatomy.
Because spinal surgery can be hard on the body, patients may need to improve their overall health before the procedure. If a patient has conditions such as osteoporosis, obesity, or diabetes, the doctor may want to address them before proceeding with surgery. Depending on the situation, they may suggest changes in diet, tobacco use, or physical activity. They might also refer patients to physical therapy, nutrition counseling, or other support programs.
Most patients stay in the hospital for three to five days after the surgery before being discharged. Full recovery usually takes three to six months. During that time, patients work with physical therapists and mobility trainers to gradually return to their usual activities. Depending on the surgery, some patients may also need to wear a neck brace.
Recovery takes time and effort no matter which hardware is used. Custom implants are so valuable because they reduce the chance of needing another surgery and starting the whole process over again.
Other treatments for back pain
Spinal fusion offers the most stable solution for severe spinal issues, but it’s not the only treatment UT Southwestern offers. For less severe cases, doctors may recommend:
The future of patient-specific implants
UT Southwestern continues to invest in technology that makes spinal surgery safer, more accurate, and more effective.
Our team is testing robotic tools that help guide the placement of each screw during surgery. New types of implants are also being developed for other spinal surgeries, such as for the neck and for disc replacement.
Patient-specific implants are quickly becoming the gold standard of care for spinal fusions, and UT Southwestern is leading the way. As technologies continue to evolve, patients can expect even more personalized, effective, and long-lasting solutions for spinal problems.
Could patient-specific implants help your spine?
The prospect of spinal surgery can feel intimidating, but custom implants offer a more personalized and dependable alternative to standard hardware. Implants made to match each patient’s spine lead to better results and fewer problems after surgery.
While customized implants aren’t right for every type of back pain, they may be a great choice for patients with serious spinal issues.
To learn whether patient-specific spinal implants are right for you, make an appointment by calling 214-645-2225 or request an appointment online.
