3D printing technology applied to orthosis manufacturing

In recent times, the utilization of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has gradually made its way into the realm of orthopaedic orthoses. This narrative review, conducted by authors from Korea, set out to explore the impact of 3D printed orthoses in comparison to conventional models. A comprehensive analysis was carried out, encompassing a total of 22 articles. Among these studies, 8 focused on the upper limbs, 13 on the lower limbs, and 1 on the spine. The researchers highlight that the implementation of 3D printing technology enables the precise determination of orthotic dimensions through a design program, resulting in the creation of complex structures that are challenging to fabricate manually. Moreover, while the production of a manually crafted orthosis typically takes approximately one week, a 3D printer is capable of accomplishing this task within a single day. The findings indicate that 3D printed orthoses exhibit comparable or superior effects on biomechanical parameters and kinematic parameters, such as wrist-hand function, wrist spasticity, arch height index, foot plantar pressure, and joint range of motion (ROM). Furthermore, in terms of user satisfaction and comfort, 3D printed orthoses outperformed conventional orthoses. For more detailed information, please refer to the provided link.