Abstract
Purpose This study is aimed at analyzing the application experience and feedback of the patients with poststroke ankle dorsiflexion disorders for 3D printed AFO with three different materials. Methods 15 patients were randomly divided into three groups; 3D printed AFO with 3 different materials (PA2200, Somos NeXt, and PA12) was used to each group, according to the crossover study design, in order to ask the three groups of patients to use three different materials of 3D printed AFO. Assessment was taken by the end of each test round. Through statistical processing, the patient feedback data of the three groups of materials of 3D printed AFO were obtained. Results In the material comfort assessment of the AFO, Somos NeXt was compared with PA2200, and the p value was <0.05; in the item of surface smoothness of the AFO, Somos NeXt was compared with PA2200, and the p value was <0.01; at the same time, PA12 was compared with PA2200, and the p value was <0.05. Conclusion The 3 different materials of 3D printing AFO bring different experience, and we also have sufficient reason to believe that there will be differences in the auxiliary effect of this on patients, which leads the patient's selection too. The material Somos NeXt is much popular and has certain clinical advantages.
Highlights
Three-dimensional printing (3D) is one of additive manufacturing technologies, which appeared in the 1980s
Because 3D printing technology has the advantages of personalized customization, the ability to manufacture complex and fine structures, high material utilization, and short manufacturing cycle has been widely used in the medical field, such as the application of ankle foot orthosis (AFO) in rehabilitation medicine
The assessment points would be on the last day of each wearing round
Summary
Three-dimensional printing (3D) is one of additive manufacturing technologies, which appeared in the 1980s It establishes the 3D data of the target model by means of CT, MRI, CAD, or 3D scanning, processes it into a 3D digital model file by reverse engineering modeling software, transmits it to a suitable printer, and selects suitable materials to print the target model layer by layer. Poststroke patients are often accompanied by paralysis of the lower limbs, foot drop, and varus [1]. For these patients with ankle dorsiflexion disorders, the configuration of AFO can effectively improve hemiplegic gait and improve walking function. There are some defects in traditional orthoses, such as the inability to achieve personalized design for plaster or splint fixation, and may cause serious skin infections, limb stiffness, pressure sores, and other complications; low-temperature thermoplastic plates need to be adjusted repeatedly when manufacturing orthoses, which has the risk of scalding patients; the manufacturing process of high-temperature plastic orthosis is cumbersome, the efficiency is low, and the appearance is unsightly [2]. 3D printing technology completes the construction of the whole entity through layered processing and superposition molding, which can achieve design freedom and can be optimized according to personal biomechanical requirements to provide patients with better orthopedic functions and better appearance design [3]. 3D printing AFO may improve patient satisfaction, wearing compliance, and the quality of life of patients [4]
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