Digitizing technology has been widely applied in prosthetics and orthotics nowadays. In order to meet patients' needs, up-to-date equipment such as robotic arm, 3D printers and 3D scanners are essential in providing enhanced quality of clinical service to patients. Currently, the Prosthetics and Orthotics Department at the Prince of Wales Hospital is developing the new methodology for fabrication of various prostheses and orthoses.
In terms of prosthetics, cosmetic cover of prostheses can now be produced using 3D printing technology. It provides better cosmetic restoration to the amputee and improves the hygiene and durability of the prosthesis when compared to a conventional cosmetic foam cover.
Apart from the cosmetic covers, 3D printing technology can also be applied
in making partial foot prosthesis or partial hand prosthesis. This recent development helps amputees to restore their functional ability and cosmesis. The brand-new concept utilizes the digitized scan to mimic the sound side of the foot to the prosthetic side and to print the prostheses. It provides a greater improvement on the appearance of the prostheses. Both physical and psychological treatment effects will be beneficial to the patients who have received the prostheses.
When it comes to orthotics, computer-aided design and manufacturing has the advantages of higher precision and higher efficiency when compared with orthoses that have been fabricated with conventional methods. Keloid scar management usually relies on pressure therapy to control the size of keloid and prevent it from further deterioration. 3D printed auricular keloid clip is one of the examples of the pressure therapy that will be prescribed pre or post-operation for controlling the severity of keloid.
For outcome evaluation, a digital database has been set up for assessing the treatment outcome. Therapist can compare the pre and post treatment result to analyse the effectiveness of the treatment protocol in virtual with quantitative justification.
