Clinical Integration of 3-Dimensional Printing in Shoulder Surgery: Current Applications, Evidence, and Future Directions

» Three-dimensional printing improves shoulder surgery by creating precise anatomical models for better planning and visualization.» Patient-specific guides and implants enhance accuracy, shorten surgery time, and lead to better functional outcomes in complex procedures.» Used effectively in fractures, instability, joint replacement, corrective bone surgery, and tumor reconstruction to support safer and more predictable surgery.» Challenges include high cost, time required for production, and limited long-term clinical evidence; future advancements include artificial intelligence and augmented reality to improve efficiency and personalization.