4D printing: innovative solutions and technological advances in orthopedic repair and reconstruction, personalized treatment and drug delivery

Biomed Eng Online. 2025 Jan 21;24(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s12938-025-01334-3.

Abstract

With precise control of smart materials deformation in time dimension, doctors can customize orthopedic implants. This review focuses on the advances of 4D printing technology in orthopedics, including its applications in bone repair and reconstruction, personalized treatment, and drug delivery. 4D printing enables the creation of bionic scaffolds and fixation devices for bone repair, customized implants matching patients' conditions for personalized treatment, and specific carriers for accurate drug release and delivery, which together contribute to accelerating bone healing, providing exclusive treatments, enhancing therapeutic effects and reducing side effects, thus helping improve orthopedic medicine. It offers comprehensive reference materials for relevant medical personnel.

Keywords: 4D printing; Bone repair and reconstruction; Drug delivery; Personalized orthopedic treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Orthopedic Procedures / instrumentation
  • Orthopedics
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / instrumentation
  • Precision Medicine*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*
  • Prostheses and Implants