Additive manufacturing in orthopedics refers to the use of 3D printing technologies and robotics to create custom-designed orthopedic implants, prostheses, medical devices, and surgical tools. This manufacturing process allows for the customization of designs to match patient needs, patient anatomy, and patient-specific instrumentation. Instead of using shelf implants or standard implants for more complex cases, surgeons can improve the quality of life for their patients with custom-made prosthetics.
This manufacturing technology can improve patient care and individual patient outcomes of various orthopedic surgical procedures such as joint replacement, hip replacement, knee replacement, and arthroplasty. The flexibility of additive manufacturing also enables the production of complex structures that are otherwise difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. For example, it can be used to create porous structures that promote bone ingrowth in implants.
Additionally, this technology has applications in pre-operative planning, producing accurate anatomical models of the human body for surgical rehearsal, and designing patient-tailored instruments, patient-specific implants, and orthopedic devices. The speed and adaptability of additive manufacturing provide a quicker turnaround from design to production, which is beneficial in orthopedics where time-sensitive solutions are often required.
