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Founded in 2017, the American Orthopaedic Society of 3D Printing (AOS3DP) was formed to provide orthopaedic surgeons with an avenue for collaboration on the use of complex and customized clinical applications of additive manufacturing in reconstruction, revisions and limb salvage. The society also serves as a vehicle for its foundation, whose goal is to provide support for patients.
To our knowledge, this society is the only one of its kind for orthopaedic surgeons. It’s tapped Selene Parekh, M.D., an orthopaedic technology entrepreneur and hand and foot surgeon at North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic and Duke Orthopaedics, as its chairman.
We asked Dr. Parekh to shed light on AOS3DP’s objectives.
He says, “Although in its infancy, 3D printing stands to revolutionize and optimize surgical care for patients. Having a society that can bring the expertise of surgeons and individuals from around the U.S., and industry as a whole, will allow us to share ideas, thoughts and problems to utilize 3D-printing technologies and solutions.”
The society attempts to involve orthopaedic device and additive manufacturing companies in the conversation via educational sessions, discussion boards and in-person meetings. Additive Orthopaedics is the society’s first sponsor.
“This society is in its infancy,” Parekh says, when asked what he would like device companies to know. “Engagement from industry and surgeon opinion leaders will help to elevate and optimize the care of patients and solutions involving additive technologies.”
Where might we see additive technology (and the society’s focus) in the future?
“Additive technologies are limited clinically to metal printing, currently,” Parekh says. “In the next five to 10 years, I see bio-printing as a bigger part of medical care and surgical solutions.”
Rob Meyer is ORTHOWORLD’s Senior Editor. Please send comments on this article to Carolyn LaWell.
