3 -D Printing Of Pro s thes es

Q .

“I’ve been hearing about prosthetic limbs and braces that can be printed in 3 D. How much of this is just science fiction ?“

A.

The truth, in many cases, is that yesterday’s science fiction is today’s news. Many of the pros- thetic and orthotic advancements reported in the media are being covered because they are new and exciting technology for our time.

Before those new technological developments can transition from someone’s creative and futuristic original idea into a commonplace solution available to everyone, however, they must be tested, and their real value to consumers confirmed and established to the satisfaction of Medicare and other insurers.

One example of technology that began as science fiction five years ago, but is readily available today is the stronger, lighter weight orthoses and prostheses made from the carbon fiber materials originally used to build race car bodies.

Innovative scientists are working now on developing ways to allow prosthetic arms to respond to impulses from the wearer’s brain, sent via the neural pathways that originally controlled their missing biological arm. Science fiction yesterday; but today, it’s on the way to becoming reality, as rapidly-evolving electronics combine with new surgical amputation techniques that allow easier sensor-to-nerve access— and make such connections possible and workable.

The 3-D printing of upper and lower limb prostheses is similarly a work in progress. Although such prostheses have been efficiently and economically printed—especially for children in underserved populations—scientists at Baylor University are currently developing methods to test and evaluate prosthetic sockets and the long-term effectiveness of the devices. Experts in materials technology are developing polymers that can be superheated to form stronger parts for more definitive 3-D sockets that may, indeed, soon be available to us all.

If you have questions or concerns about the latest tested and approved O& P technology available to you, as well as what’s on the way, Snell Laboratory is happy to provide answers and insights, and to work with your doctor to help achieve your goal.

Don’t hesitate to call us for a consultation at no cost, as we continue our tradition of 100+ years of quality care in prosthetics and orthotics, with Hot Springs natives serving their Hot Springs neighbors from our local facility with 85 years of combined experience.