Current Perspectives on 3D-printed Casts
 
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1
Department of Medicine of the Elderly and Stroke, Aintree University Hospital, United Kingdom
 
2
Faculty of Medicine, Mazovian Academy in Płock, Poland
 
3
Faculty of Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
 
4
Independent Public Health Care Institution, Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Kielce named after St. John Paul II in Kielce, Poland
 
5
., Kielce Hospital of St. Aleksandra in Kielce, Poland
 
6
M.D., Regional Hospital in Poznan, Poland
 
7
Department of Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
 
 
Submission date: 2025-11-30
 
 
Acceptance date: 2026-02-25
 
 
Publication date: 2026-03-30
 
 
Corresponding author
Aleksandra Bełżek   

M.D., Regional Hospital in Poznan, Poznań, Poland
 
 
Wiadomości Lekarskie 2026;(3):615-619
 
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ABSTRACT
Aim Fractures of the distal radius and ulna are among the most common skeletal injuries and are traditionally treated with cast immobilization. However, conventional casting techniques have significant limitations. In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has emerged as a promising alternative in the production of personalized post-traumatic stabilization devices. The aim of this review was to present current information and perspectives on the development of 3D-printed casts, with particular emphasis on the diversity of designs, material properties, and clinical applications. Material and methods A literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The results of the analyzed studies indicate that additive technologies enable the production of lightweight, ventilated, individually tailored orthoses with high mechanical strength and improved moisture resistance compared to traditional casts and glass fiber casts. Conclusions Materials such as polylactide (PLA) and PLA composites produced by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) demonstrate superior properties in static and dynamic tests. Furthermore, 3D-printed casts offer improved hygiene, greater comfort, a reduced risk of skin complications, such as wound healing, and high aesthetic acceptability. Clinical applications also include planning corrective osteotomies and the production of personalized surgical instruments. Although further research is needed on long-term durability and broad clinical outcomes, current reports indicate that 3D printing is a promising and increasingly viable alternative to traditional cast immobilization.
eISSN:2719-342X
ISSN:0043-5147
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