Three-Dimensional Printing of Bone Fractures

Dear Editor: We would like to present the first report in the literature of the use of 3-dimensional (3D) printed models of bone fractures. Actually, X-rays and computed tomography (CT) are used today to evaluate bone fractures. Understanding the dislocation of fragments, the amount of displacement, and the joint involvement is necessary for a successful treatment. Three-dimensional printing is a new low-cost technology that uses a 3D computer representation to create solid objects; 3D-printed models for orthopedic conditions can improve understanding of anatomy and pathology by means of tactile and visual experience to complement images displayed on a computer monitor.