3D printing- creating a blueprint for the future of orthopedics: Current concept review and the road ahead!

The use of 3D printing in Orthopedics is set to transform the way surgeries are planned and executed. The development of X rays and later the CT scan and MRI enabled surgeons to understand the anatomy and condition better and helped plan surgeries on images obtained. 3DGraphy a term used for 3D printed orthopedic patient models and Jigs has gone a step further by providing surgeons with a physical copy of the patient's affected part that can not only be seen but also felt and moved around spatially. Similarly 3D printed Jigs are patient specific devices that are used to ensure optimal screw trajectory and implant placement with minimal exposure. While the use of 3D printed models and Jigs have now become routine, a similar revolution is happening in the field of designing and printing patient specific implants. Metal printing along with enhanced capability to print other biocompatible materials like PEEK and PLA is likely to improve the current implant manufacturing process. On the horizon is another interesting development related to this field - 3D Bio printing. Printing human tissues and organs is considered the final frontier and impressive strides have been made in printing bone graft substitutes and cartilage like material. This paper is an overview of all the current developments and the road ahead in this invigorating field.