When Jens Rosmus discovered that the persistent pain from an old injury — a fractured collarbone caused by a motorcycle racing accident that had healed improperly — was preventing him from enjoying his favorite activities, he sought help from UCLA Health orthopedic surgeon Andy Jensen, MD.
Dr. Jensen is one of only a few shoulder surgeons in the country trained to use advanced 3D-printing techniques to create models that replicate the properties of real bones, providing an invaluable tool in planning complex surgeries. Rosmus hoped that Dr. Jensen’s specialized expertise would help relieve his discomfort and restore his shoulder’s range of motion.
In collaboration with a specialized team, Dr. Jensen first produced an exact 3D replica of Rosmus’ malformed collarbone. This model enabled Dr. Jensen to “operate” on the bone before the actual surgery took place. By referencing the replica of the injured collarbone and another model of Rosmus’ healthy collarbone, Dr. Jensen was able to determine the precise location to cut the bone and insert the necessary pins to correct the deformity.
This thorough preplanning led to a more accurate and efficient surgery. As a result, Rosmus experienced a faster recovery and was able to heal more quickly.
Within just a few weeks, Rosmus was able to resume his regular sporting activities. He even tried a new sport: beach tennis. In late October 2025, about a year after the surgery, Dr. Jensen was able to remove the plate and screws.
“The surgery was successful — the discomfort and pain are now gone,” he reports. “And Dr. Jensen even gave me a model of the injured bone as a keepsake.”
