Innovative 3D printing technologies and advanced materials revolutionizing orthopedic surgery: current applications and future directions

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has rapidly become a transformative force in orthopedic surgery, enabling the creation of highly customized and precise medical implants and surgical tools. This review aims to provide a more systematic and comprehensive perspective on emerging 3D printing technologie...

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Main Authors: Bo Cong, Haiguang Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1542179/full
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author Bo Cong
Bo Cong
Haiguang Zhang
Haiguang Zhang
author_facet Bo Cong
Bo Cong
Haiguang Zhang
Haiguang Zhang
author_sort Bo Cong
collection DOAJ
description Three-dimensional (3D) printing has rapidly become a transformative force in orthopedic surgery, enabling the creation of highly customized and precise medical implants and surgical tools. This review aims to provide a more systematic and comprehensive perspective on emerging 3D printing technologies—ranging from extrusion-based methods and bioink printing to powder bed fusion—and the broadening array of materials, including bioactive agents and cell-laden inks. We highlight how these technologies and materials are employed to fabricate patient-specific implants, surgical guides, prosthetics, and advanced tissue engineering scaffolds, significantly enhancing surgical outcomes and patient recovery. Despite notable progress, the field faces challenges such as optimizing mechanical properties, ensuring structural integrity, addressing regulatory complexities across different regions, and considering environmental impacts and cost barriers, especially in low-resource settings. Looking ahead, innovations in smart materials and functionally graded materials (FGMs), along with advancements in bioprinting, hold promise for overcoming these obstacles and expanding the capabilities of 3D printing in orthopedics. This review underscores the pivotal role of interdisciplinary collaboration and ongoing research in harnessing the full potential of additive manufacturing, ultimately paving the way for more effective, personalized, and durable orthopedic solutions that improve patient quality of life.
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issn 2296-4185
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spelling doaj-art-c48d7920dba344dfac991fb3fcaa35f12025-02-11T06:59:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-02-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.15421791542179Innovative 3D printing technologies and advanced materials revolutionizing orthopedic surgery: current applications and future directionsBo Cong0Bo Cong1Haiguang Zhang2Haiguang Zhang3Department of Orthopedics, Yantaishan Hospital Affiliated to Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaYantai Key Laboratory for Repair and Reconstruction of Bone and Joint, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Yantaishan Hospital Affiliated to Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaYantai Key Laboratory for Repair and Reconstruction of Bone and Joint, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaThree-dimensional (3D) printing has rapidly become a transformative force in orthopedic surgery, enabling the creation of highly customized and precise medical implants and surgical tools. This review aims to provide a more systematic and comprehensive perspective on emerging 3D printing technologies—ranging from extrusion-based methods and bioink printing to powder bed fusion—and the broadening array of materials, including bioactive agents and cell-laden inks. We highlight how these technologies and materials are employed to fabricate patient-specific implants, surgical guides, prosthetics, and advanced tissue engineering scaffolds, significantly enhancing surgical outcomes and patient recovery. Despite notable progress, the field faces challenges such as optimizing mechanical properties, ensuring structural integrity, addressing regulatory complexities across different regions, and considering environmental impacts and cost barriers, especially in low-resource settings. Looking ahead, innovations in smart materials and functionally graded materials (FGMs), along with advancements in bioprinting, hold promise for overcoming these obstacles and expanding the capabilities of 3D printing in orthopedics. This review underscores the pivotal role of interdisciplinary collaboration and ongoing research in harnessing the full potential of additive manufacturing, ultimately paving the way for more effective, personalized, and durable orthopedic solutions that improve patient quality of life.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1542179/full3D printingtechnologymaterialchallengeFGM
spellingShingle Bo Cong
Bo Cong
Haiguang Zhang
Haiguang Zhang
Innovative 3D printing technologies and advanced materials revolutionizing orthopedic surgery: current applications and future directions
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
3D printing
technology
material
challenge
FGM
title Innovative 3D printing technologies and advanced materials revolutionizing orthopedic surgery: current applications and future directions
title_full Innovative 3D printing technologies and advanced materials revolutionizing orthopedic surgery: current applications and future directions
title_fullStr Innovative 3D printing technologies and advanced materials revolutionizing orthopedic surgery: current applications and future directions
title_full_unstemmed Innovative 3D printing technologies and advanced materials revolutionizing orthopedic surgery: current applications and future directions
title_short Innovative 3D printing technologies and advanced materials revolutionizing orthopedic surgery: current applications and future directions
title_sort innovative 3d printing technologies and advanced materials revolutionizing orthopedic surgery current applications and future directions
topic 3D printing
technology
material
challenge
FGM
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1542179/full
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AT bocong innovative3dprintingtechnologiesandadvancedmaterialsrevolutionizingorthopedicsurgerycurrentapplicationsandfuturedirections
AT haiguangzhang innovative3dprintingtechnologiesandadvancedmaterialsrevolutionizingorthopedicsurgerycurrentapplicationsandfuturedirections
AT haiguangzhang innovative3dprintingtechnologiesandadvancedmaterialsrevolutionizingorthopedicsurgerycurrentapplicationsandfuturedirections