Use of 3D printed splints in an outpatient Occupational Therapy clinic at the General Acute Hospital

Abstract

Throughout history, various materials have been used to fabricate orthoses. With the advancement of new technologies in the biomedical field, there is now a wide range of materials available for orthotic production. Among these, 3D printing has recently emerged as a promising alternative in healthcare applications. At the Outpatient Clinic of the Occupational Therapy Service of the Interzonal General Acute Hospital “Gral. San Martín” in La Plata, the most commonly treated upper limb (UL) conditions include compressive neuropathies, tendinitis, nonspecific pain syndromes, and rheumatological diseases. Given these demands, the idea of creating 3D-printed splints has been proposed as a cost- effective alternative to thermoplastic materials for managing these pathologies.