3D printing and prostheses: The current state-of-the-art and future directions

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Limb difference impacts millions globally, with rising prevalence linked to diabetes and vascular disease.
• Access to affordable, customized prosthetic limbs remains a significant challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
• Traditional prosthetic fabrication methods are often costly and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current applications and potential of 3D printing in prosthetic limb fabrication.
• To focus on upper limb prostheses, socket design, and terminal attachments.
• To identify challenges and future research directions for integrating 3D printing into clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• This study is a narrative review of existing literature on 3D printing in prosthetics.
• It examines the use of additive manufacturing for creating customized prosthetic devices.
• The review synthesizes information on advantages, limitations, and clinical adoption barriers.

Main Results:

• 3D printing enables lower-cost, highly personalized prosthetic fabrication, enhancing accessibility.
• Functional 3D-printed prostheses have been developed, particularly in non-regulated environments.
• Key limitations include material performance, regulatory hurdles, and insufficient clinical evidence.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing presents a promising avenue for improving prosthetic limb access and customization.
• Clinical integration is hindered by concerns over safety, durability, and the need for robust evidence.
• Future research must prioritize rigorous clinical trials and performance testing to support wider adoption.