3D-printed orthoses and prostheses for people with physical disability in rehabilitation centers: a scoping review

Abstract

Aims: The World Health Organization points out that, by 2030, two billion people will need at least one assistive product. 3D printing can be used to meet the demands when dispensing these products.

Purpose: This review aims to map the use of 3D printing in the manufacture of orthoses and prostheses for people with physical disability at rehabilitation centers.

Methods: Publications that deal with the use of 3D printing for the manufacture of orthoses and prostheses were used, preferably studies from 2012 to 2022.

Results: The majority of studies, 56.25%, were quantitative and 46.25% were evaluative research. None of the studies were characterized as developed at rehabilitation centers. 75% of them had the participation of people with physical disability. The use of 3D printing was, for the most part, for the development of assistive technologies for the upper limbs at 56.25%, while 31.25% were for the lower limbs.

Conclusion: The assistive products developed were orthoses and prostheses for the wrist, hands, fingers, upper limbs, writing devices, sockets, knees, and feet. Although there were positive results in their performance, some limitations related to strength, stiffness, and resistance were observed.

Keywords: Artificial limbs; Orthotic devices; People with disability; Rehabilitation centers; Three-dimensional printing.

Fig. 1

Search systematization. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 2023. Source Authors based on the PRISMA-ScR flow diagram adapted from Tricco et al., 2018