Dr. Bill Oxley On Thinking Veterinary Medicine in 3D (EPISODE #88 Shownotes)

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bill Oxley, a pioneer in veterinary orthopaedics and founder of Vet3D. With thousands of surgical cases and 20 peer-reviewed publications to his name, Dr. Oxley has spent the last decade bringing 3D virtual surgical planning and 3D printing into the veterinary operating room. We discussed how traditional 2D surgical planning fell short and how 3D planning and precise surgical guides have enabled more accurate and personalized procedures. Dr. Oxley shares not just the technical side, but also the emotional wins that make the effort worthwhile, such as the Great Dane with bone cancer who went from being an amputation candidate to running on the beach just weeks after surgery. There were many stories like these throughout Dr. Oxley’s career, and if you are an animal lover or pet owner, this is an episode for you.

⚠️ Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed do not constitute medical or financial advice. The technologies and procedures discussed may not be commercially available or suitable for every case. Always consult with a licensed professional.

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About Our Guest: Dr. Bill Oxley

Bill graduated from Cambridge University’s veterinary school in 1997 and, after a period in general practice, undertook an orthopaedic surgery Residency between 2009 and 2011. Bill gained his RCVS Diploma in Orthopaedics in 2013 and RCVS Specialist status the following year. Bill founded Vet3D in 2015 to provide orthopaedic and neurosurgical consultancy, as well as patient-specific surgical guide systems and implants. Vet3D has, to date, supplied nearly 4000 PSG systems to surgeons in over 20 countries worldwide. Bill has presented internationally on deformity assessment and CAD-PSG at ACVS (including a keynote presentation), ECVS, BVOA, VA3, SIOVET, and others, and has authored or co-authored 19 papers on these topics as well as other orthopaedic research.

Key Takeaways:

• Facilitated 4,000+ cases using 3D planning and custom printing in veterinary orthopedics

• 3D printed cutting guides improve accuracy, reduce complications, and enable complex surgeries

• Software and 3D printing hardware are essential—but economic and institutional challenges remain

• Surgeons must invest time and training to adopt these technologies successfully

• Pet insurance and corporate vet structures greatly influence patient access

X-Ray of the Podcast:

🩺Dr. Oxley’s Background

• Cambridge University graduate (1997)

• Completed orthopaedic surgery residency (2009–2011)

• RCVS Specialist in Orthopaedics (since 2014)

• Founder of Vet3D (2015)

• Author/co-author of 20+ peer-reviewed papers on surgical planning and guide systems

From 2D to 3D Surgical Planning

• Traditional imaging methods limited surgical accuracy

• Virtual surgical planning allows better visualization and pre-op simulations

• 3D-printed guides allow precise bone cuts and implant placements

• Tools like Horos, Materialise, Autodesk Netfabb, 3-matic, and Geomagic Freeform power the design workflow

⚙️ How Vet3D Works

• Surgeons submit CT scans for complex orthopedic cases

• Oxley’s team creates a virtual plan with precise anatomical mapping

• Custom guides, implants, and bone models are 3D-printed and shipped

• Continuous consultation provided throughout the surgical process

Future of Veterinary Orthopedics

• Patient-specific joint replacements and spinal stabilization

• Long-term vision includes bioprinted tissue scaffolds

• AI-assisted surgical planning is a future possibility, though not yet practical

Transcript:

Gallery:

Resources & Follow-up:

🔗 Selected Published Papers:

1. Feline Shoulder Arthrodesis Using 3D-printed Patient-specific Guides

2. Patient-specific Guides Improve the Accuracy and Safety of Transcondylar Screw Placement—a Cadaveric Study in the Canine Humerus

3. Surgical correction of pes varus deformity in dachshunds using three- dimensional-printed patient-specific guide system: nine tibiae in seven cases (2018-2022)

4. Bilateral shoulder arthrodesis in a Pekinese using three-dimensional printed patient-specific osteotomy and reduction guides

5. Clinical outcomes of 20 brachycephalic dogs with thoracolumbar spinal deformities causing neurological signs treated with spinal stabilization using 3D-printed patient-specific drill guides

6. Analysis of humeral condylar morphology in dogs with and without humeral intracondylar fissure

🖥 Software:

Horos , Materialise, Autodesk Netfabb, 3-matic, Geomagic Freeform

🖨 3D Printer: Formlabs

📖 Book: Principles of Deformity Correction by Dror Paley

Contact Dr. Bill Oxley

📧 bill@vet3d.co.uk

🌐 Linkedin