Digitalisation is the megatrend in healthcare, not only since the pandemic. We are two European digital health experts and industry leaders in the field of orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) and in this article we explored what are the underlying trends driving the adoption of digitalisation for customisation of prosthetics & orthotics. We showed that several trends in 3D image capture (input step), 3D modelling (processing step) and 3D printing (output step) currently converge and thus fuel the rapid transformation of the O&P industry. In short outlooks, we rated the probability and timing of adoption rates across the upcoming couple of years. We furthermore reviewed the impact of boundary conditions set by regulators as well as the reimbursement system. Towards the end of this article, we outlined a digital scenario of the near future by following around an orthotist during her work. We finished with a call-to-action targeting regulators, payors, prosthetists/orthotists, and patients to enable such a desirable future.
Keywords: Additive Manufacturing; Central Fab; Custom-Made Device; Digital Process Chains; Digital Transformation; FDA; Orthotic Brace; Prosthetic Feet; Quality Assurance; Trends.
Copyright (c) 2021 Opitz M, Fröhlingsdorf P.