Three-Dimensional Printing: A Catalyst for a Changing Orthopaedic Landscape : JBJS Reviews

Journal Logo

Advanced Search
Review Articles

Three-Dimensional Printing: A Catalyst for a Changing Orthopaedic Landscape

Minto, Jonathan BA; Zhou, Xuan PhD; Osborn, Jenna MS; Zhang, Lijie Grace PhD; Sarkar, Kausik PhD; Rao, Raj D. MD

Author Information

1School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC

2School of Engineering and Applied Science, George Washington University, Washington, DC

3Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Investigation performed at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Disclosure: The authors indicated that no external funding was received for any aspect of this work. The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (https://links.lww.com/JBJSREV/A541)

JBJS Reviews 8(2):p e0076, February 2020. | DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.19.00076

Abstract

  • » Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging tool in provider and patient education, surgical planning, and the design and implementation of medical devices and implants.
  • » Recent decreases in the cost of 3D printers along with advances in and cost reduction of printable materials have elevated 3D printing within the medical device industry.
  • » The advantages of 3D printing over traditional means of implant manufacturing lie in its ability to use a wide array of materials, its fine control of the macro- and microarchitecture, and its unprecedented customizability.
  • » Barriers to the widespread adoption of 3D-printed implants include questions of implant durability, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for patient-specific implants, and insurance coverage of those implants.

Copyright © 2020 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated

Full Text Access for Subscribers:

Not a Subscriber?

Buy
Request Permissions

You can read the full text of this article if you:

Access through Ovid