Computer-aided design to support fabrication of wrist splints using 3D printing: a feasibility study

IntroductionIssues contributing to poor patient compliance for splint wear include poor aesthetics, fit and performance. This paper describes a novel digitised splinting process using 3D printing in an attempt to overcome these issues. The output of the investigation was the creation of a specialised computer-aided design software workflow to support 3D printing, developed specifically for splinting practitioners in the UK, to enable them to design splints themselves for each individual patient.MethodA small-scale feasibility study was done, based on the current splinting process. A thorough literature review and physical engagement in current splinting practice was performed, highlighting key requirements for successful splint fabrication. Key requirements were then replicated in a virtual software environment. Opportunities for integrating new, novel features were explored. The key requirements were then refined into a specialised software workflow to replicate the splinting process. The specialised sof...