Developing 3D-Printed Wrist Splints for Distal Radius and Scaphoid Fractures

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Conservative treatment of distal radius and scaphoid fractures requires optimization for patient comfort and fracture stabilization.
• Conventional casting methods can lead to complications and may not offer ideal comfort or immobilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a patient-specific anatomical brace (PSAB) for distal radius and scaphoid fracture care.
• To assess the comfort, tolerability, and mechanical properties of a novel 3D-printed brace compared to traditional immobilization techniques.

Main Methods:

• Design of multiple 3D-printed splint prototypes based on clinical expertise.
• Preclinical testing with 10 healthy volunteers to assess comfort and satisfaction.
• Mechanical testing of the final prototype against conventional casts and prefabricated splints.
• Development of a mathematical algorithm for automated anatomical adaptation of the PSAB.

Main Results:

• The final PSAB prototype achieved a 79% overall satisfaction score and weighed under 90g.
• The brace exhibited stiffness ranging from 0.64 to 0.99 Nm/degree, outperforming conventional casts and splints.
• The PSAB utilizes polyamide material and hook-and-loop straps for fixation.

Conclusions:

• The developed wrist PSAB is lightweight, comfortable, and provides effective anatomical support for fracture treatment.
• This patient-specific brace shows promise as an advanced alternative to conventional plaster casts for stable distal radius and scaphoid fractures.