Orthotics and orthopedic devices are an essential part of any rehab program. These devices can help patients recover from their injuries faster, but the benefits go beyond just being able to walk again. Here we will tell you about 3d printed orthotics.
What is an orthotic?
Orthotics are medical devices that support and align the feet, ankles, and legs. People use it to treat foot problems or conditions such as flat feet, high arches, bunions, and heel spurs. You can also use them to treat other conditions like arthritis.
Computer Assisted Design – CAD for orthotic 3D Printing
Using CAD, orthotics can be 3D printed to suit a patient’s specific needs. The software allows doctors to design orthotics that fit each patient’s exact shape, size, and requirements.
Rapid Prototyping
3D printed orthotics are made using a rapid prototyping process, which is a fancy way of saying “3D printing.” You might be familiar with the term from watching sci-fi movies, but it’s a very real technology that has been used in the medical field for decades.
Nowadays, 3D printed products include objects like prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, tooth implants, and more. When it comes to orthotics, the devices prescribed by doctors to treat foot pain and injuries, the benefits of 3D Printing are many:
- It allows patients to get an exact copy of their feet so that their custom-made orthotics will fit perfectly on them once they’re manufactured. This means no more struggling with tight shoes or painful blisters from ill-fitting footwear.
- The materials used for manufacturing these devices mean patients can expect them to last longer than traditional options made using other methods such as casting plaster molds or vacuum-forming thermoplastic sheets over hard plastic molds.
The application of orthotics – why they are used and when?
Orthotics correct the alignment of the foot, and you can use them to treat a wide range of foot problems, such as pain relief, recovery time, and performance in sports. You can also use it with other treatments such as physiotherapy or chiropody.
The use of orthotics has become more popular over recent years due to their effectiveness in treating various complaints associated with the feet. Orthotic insoles can help relieve symptoms caused by conditions such as plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and heel spurs by redistributing pressure away from painful areas on your feet. This helps reduce inflammation while encouraging better posture so that you are less likely to experience further injury or discomfort throughout your day-to-day activities.
Who needs them?
If you are a senior citizen or have a chronic condition, 3D-printed orthotics can help provide extra support and stability as your mobility decreases. Not only will this keep pain at bay, but it can also help prevent further injuries. Suppose you are an athlete or an active person who has suffered an injury like a sprained ankle or knee injury. In that case, custom orthotic insoles may be the best way to keep yourself in good shape while giving your body time to recover without having to be completely inactive.
If you have arthritis, custom-made orthotic insoles are beneficial because they can help pain management by providing proper alignment of the foot and joints. So that the full weight of your body isn’t held solely by one part of the foot is what happens when there is arthritis present in that area.
Final Words
3D printed orthotics have come a long way from being an expensive option for only rich people. They are now affordable and can be easily accessed by people from all walks of life. They are also useful in aiding recovery time and provide great comfort to the user.