Additive Manufacturing in Medical Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Additive Manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is transforming the medical field by enabling the creation of highly customized and complex medical devices and implants. This review examines AM's applications in prosthetics, orthotics, surgical instruments, and bioprinting. AM enhances patient-specific treatments by providing better-fitting prosthetics, tailored surgical instruments, and customized implants, leading to improved clinical outcomes. Additionally, bioprinting offers promising advancements in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Despite its benefits, AM faces challenges such as material limitations, regulatory hurdles, and technical constraints. Future directions include advances in bioprinting, integration with digital health technologies, and expansion of material options. As researchers and clinicians collaborate to overcome these challenges, AM is poised to play an increasingly crucial role in healthcare, enhancing patient care and advancing medical science