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3D printed implants in orthopedic surgery

Guest Editors

Kai Xie, MD, PhD, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China
Nanfang Xu, MD, PhD, Peking University Third Hospital, China


BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders announced a Collection on the applications and advancement of 3D printed implants in orthopedic surgery. The goal of this Collection was to present new research and insights at the intersection of medicine, technology, and orthopedics.

Orthopedic surgery has been continually evolving to enhance patient outcomes, reduce recovery times, and improve the overall quality of life for individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. One of the most significant innovations of recent years is the integration of 3D printing technology to orthopedic implants.


New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Kai Xie, MD, PhD, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China

Dr Kai Xie is an orthopedic surgeon in Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. He received his PhD in Surgery from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His current research focuses on medical 3D printing, clinical translational research of biodegradable magnesium implant, and surgical/biological treatment for knee degeneration. He serves as an Editorial Board Member for BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Nanfang Xu, MD, PhD, Peking University Third Hospital, China

Dr Nanfang Xu is an Attending Surgeon at Peking University Third Hospital and Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Peking University Health Science Center. 

His clinical practice is primarily focused on spine care and has a particular interest in the management of upper cervical spine disorders. He has more than 40 peer-reviewed publications with an h-index of 14.

His main research interest is in inter-disciplinary studies using innovative technologies, including additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence, to help spine surgeons make better-informed point-of-care decisions more efficiently, and to devise and execute tailored-made plan of treatment for challenging spinal conditions more effectively. He also serves as an Editorial Board Member for BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

About the Collection

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders announced a Collection on the applications and advancement of 3D printed implants in orthopedic surgery. The goal of this Collection was to present new research and insights at the intersection of medicine, technology, and orthopedics.

Orthopedic surgery has been continually evolving to enhance patient outcomes, reduce recovery times, and improve the overall quality of life for individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. One of the most significant innovations of recent years is the integration of 3D printing technology to orthopedic implants.

 We invited contributions that explore the various aspects of 3D printed implants in orthopedic surgery, including but not limited to:

  • Implant design and customization: Explore the design principles, materials, and techniques employed in the creation of patient-specific 3D printed implants, tailored to an individual’s anatomy and pathology.
  • Surgical applications: Discuss the radiological evaluation, preoperative planning, surgical techniques,  and outcomes of using 3D printed implants for joint replacements, spinal surgeries, trauma cases, and other orthopedic procedures.
  • Biocompatibility and long-term outcomes: Investigate the biocompatibility, osteoinductivity,  durability, and clinical longevity of 3D printed implants, offering insights into their performance over time.
  • Innovation and future directions: Provide perspectives on the future of 3D printing in orthopedics, discussing emerging technologies, research frontiers, and other potential advancements in the field.
  • Patient-centered care: Highlight patient perspectives, outcomes, and experiences with 3D printed implants, emphasizing the tangible impact on their lives.

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  1. The treatment of infected bone defects remains a clinical challenge. With the development of three-dimensional printing technology, three-dimensional printed implants have been used for defect reconstruction. ...

    Authors: Zhuo Chen, Yong Xing, Xingcai Li, Bingchuan Liu, Ning Liu, Yaping Huo and Yun Tian
    Citation: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2024 25:474
    Content type: Research Published on:

  2. In traditional surgical procedures, significant discrepancies are often observed between the pre-planned templated implant sizes and the actual sizes used, particularly in patients with congenital hip dysplasi...

    Authors: Han Zheng, Eryou Feng, Yao Xiao, Xingyu Liu, Tianyu Lai, Zhibiao Xu, Jingqiao Chen, Shiwei Xie, Feitai Lin and Yiling Zhang
    Citation: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2024 25:308
    Content type: Research Published on:

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "3D printed implants in orthopedic surgery" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.