Additive Manufacturing Technology Lends Wings to Orthopedic Clinical Treatment - The Innovative Development of Medical Additive Manufacturing in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital

3D-printing technology, a leading example of advanced additive manufacturing, has revolutionized the treatment of clinical orthopedic diseases, ushering in a new era of personalized medicine. Since the 1980s, the orthopedic team led by Prof. Kerong Dai at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, has effectively advanced the research, development, and implementation of customized artificial joints through medical collaboration. This work laid the foundation for the application of domestic 3D-printing in orthopedics. Continuous innovations—from fundamental research to clinical practice, from metal prosthesis implantation to customized bioactive bone product replacement, and from the traditional standardized diagnostic and treatment paradigm to the transformation of personalized medical models-underscore the pivotal role of 3D-printing technology. It has promoted personalized medicine, enhanced surgical precision, minimized the risk of infection, and accelerated bone integration. Prof. Yongqiang Hao's group has further expanded and deepened the application of three-dimensional printing technology in orthopedics. Significant breakthroughs have been achieved in domestic bioactive metals, metal orthopedic implants, and 3D-printed biological implants. The protocols for personalized internal fixation and novel pelvic reconstruction prostheses are now internationally recognized in clinical practice. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the innovative research and applications of personalized and customized 3D-printed orthopedic implants.