In recent years, 3D printing has made a significant entry into the world of orthotics. As each patient’s morphology is different, the use of 3D printing is ideal for designing custom-made and effective devices since the orthosis will fit perfectly on a patient’s wrist, foot or ankle. In this article, we will explain the benefits of 3D printing for orthosis to make life easier for both orthotists and their patients.

Performance

The combination of digitization technology and the study of manufacturing materials allows the production of perfectly fitted orthoses. This has a positive effect on the performance of the latter, since these high-precision orthopedic tools are created from an exact model of the patient’s limb. Whether it is a knee, wrist or elbow orthosis, 3D printing offers a precision fit that is unrivalled and ensures irreproachable efficiency while following the highest quality standards.

Adapted custom design

The ability to make customized orthotics down to the last detail is one of the most important advantages of 3D printing. Precision is a very important and essential element in the orthopedic field. 

By scanning body parts, print modeling will allow the printing of custom-made parts with millimetre accuracy, thanks to the precise dimensions of the previous analysis. It is also possible to capture the morphology of a body part without discomfort for the patient with an iPad application created by our partner O3D. Free from traditional procedures, these orthoses based on 3D scanning are adapted to the patient’s morphology and seem to be an integral part of the body, like a second skin.

Guaranteed comfort

When it comes to orthotics, rigidity is essential. It requires precise positioning, while flexibility and precision casting are conducive to comfort. The lightness of the raw materials used in 3D printing offers incomparable comfort and greater adaptation to all types of morphologies compared to traditional orthotics designed using a mold. If needed, the patient can try the orthosis on after it’s been created and modifications can be made until the patient is fully satisfied with the comfort.

Some researchers seem to imply that the future of orthotic and prosthetic production lies in these technologies. The promising technology of 3D printing for the manufacture of technical aids is indeed present in a context of internalization of production here in Quebec. EVO Laboratory offers you the innovative technology of 3D printing with O3D orthotics in order to provide you with an incomparable, but above all, comfortable recovery.