The use of three-dimensional printing and virtual reality technologies in orthopaedics-with a focus on orthopaedic trauma

Although the use of three-dimensional printing in orthopaedics is relatively new, many benefits of this technology to both patients and providers have already been observed. Printing models of fractured bone based upon segmented CT imaging allows for improved surgical planning as surgeons are able to view and physically manipulate accurate representations of fracture patterns prior to surgery, increasing both speed and accuracy of fixation in the operating room. The use of three-dimensional models by surgeons prior to surgery has been shown to reduce blood loss, intraoperative time, and fluoroscopy use. These models also have incredible potential in orthopaedic resident and patient education. Among residents, these models significantly improve recognition of fracture patterns, while patients benefit from the use of these models through increased trust and satisfaction with their surgeon's care, as well as decreased anxiety about their injury. Currently, the imaging segmentation and model generation process are prohibitively costly both in terms of time and money; however, in the future, three-dimensional printing may become a point-of-care technology in the orthopaedic field as technology improves and costs decrease. This article aims to illustrate the value of three-dimensional printing and virtual reality technologies in preoperative planning and intraoperative precision, resident education, and patient understanding and satisfaction. The benefits and challenges of the technologies are discussed, as well as current limitations.