After a review by its Public Policy Committee, the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy) released an updated position statement about 3D-printed O&P devices.
“While 3D printing remains a manufacturing tool, not a substitute for comprehensive, clinician-directed patient care delivered by credentialed professionals, the updated statement reflects new considerations as the technology evolves,” the statement read.
The position now includes a broader scope to cover custom and off-the-shelf 3D-printed devices; expanded education domains to include physiology, kinesiology, and pathology alongside anatomy, biomechanics, and materials science; and clearer safeguards to emphasize medical necessity, credentialed clinical oversight, and standards development. The Academy also said it will lead the development of standards tied to clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based care.
To read the “Position Statement on Custom 3D Printed Orthoses and Prostheses,” visit the Academy’s website.
