Description of the cad-am process for 3d bone printing: The case study of a flat foot

This work is focused on the study of 3D prints applied in the orthopedic-pediatric field. The focus is therefore on all the processes that lead to obtaining 3D bone printing starting from the three-dimensional digital CAD model. Specifically, the case study concerns patients with flat foot pathology from tarsal synostosis. The final result of the printing process is a three-dimensional bone model reflecting the original anatomical structure. This is a useful tool for surgeons who can carry out a preventive analytical evaluation of the relative intervention methods. 3D printing can be useful both in the preoperative planning phase and during the operation. Depending on the case, it may be more convenient to use one material than another. For this reason, another goal set by this work concerns the study of materials used for 3D printing of bones.