The Need to Fabricate Lower Limb Prosthetic Devices by Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

In this study, additive manufacturing is evaluated as a means of creating custom-made lower limb prosthetic devices. Amputees greatly benefit from having a custom-made pros-thetic device. Furthermore, additive manufacturing has already proven successful in increasing the accessibility to custom-made hand prostheses, but there still needs to be an evaluation of how additive manufacturing could be employed in the creation of lower limb prostheses. This mini review encompasses a brief overview of the causes of lower limb amputations, the treatment plan for amputations, and some negative impacts of a poorly designed prosthesis. Additive manufacturing technologies as a potential fabrication method, their classifications, different materials that can be used, and an array of examples of how additive manufacturing has already been successful in medical fields will be discussed.