Where Are 3D-Printed Casts?

In 2015, I met Scott Summit, Design Director of 3DSystems. At that time, he was wearing a cast due to ongoing issues with his wrist. He told me it was a cast specific for himself; and one that his physician could open and close in seconds. He even told me he could shower with it, without the need to wrap it in plastic bags. That was, of course, no ordinary cast as it was a 3D-printed cast.

However, since that time, I haven’t come across any medical practitioners who offer 3D-printed casts as part of normal care. Nor have I seen people with casts wearing 3D-printed ones. There are companies that do produce these peripherals, but it’s the same old gypsum casts that prevail.