World’s first cervical spine surgery using 3D-printed custom implant

In July 2025, UC San Diego Health performed the world’s first anterior cervical spine surgery using a fully personalized 3D-printed titanium implant, marking a significant advancement in spinal care. Led by neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Osorio, the procedure utilized advanced imaging, AI-assisted planning, and 3D printing technology to create an implant precisely tailored to the patient’s unique spinal anatomy. This personalized approach contrasts with traditional one-size-fits-all implants, which can compromise spinal alignment, movement, and healing. The custom implant offers benefits such as improved structural support, more accurate spinal alignment, potentially shorter recovery times, preservation of healthy anatomy, reduced complication rates, and a lower chance of repeat surgeries. This innovation represents a fundamental shift toward personalized medicine in spine surgery, with promising implications for treating conditions like spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal deformities. UC San Diego’s neurosurgery program, recognized nationally for its leadership and innovation, views this milestone as the start of