Additive Manufacturing, Thermoplastics, CAD Technology and Reverse Engineering in Orthopedics and Neurosurgery – Applications to Preventions and Treatment of Infections

The increasing demand for orthopedic and neurosurgical implants has driven ad-vancements in biomaterials, additive manufacturing, and antimicrobial strategies. With a growing aging population and a high incidence of orthopedic trauma in developing countries, the need for effective, biocompatible, and infection-resistant implants is more critical than ever. This review explores the role of polymers in 3D printing for medical applications, focusing on their use in orthopedic and neurosurgical implants. Polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) have gained at-tention due to their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and potential for antimi-crobial modifications. A major challenge in implantology is the risk of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) and surgical site infections (SSI). Current strategies, such as antibi-otic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacers and bioactive coatings, aim to reduce infection rates, but limitations remain. Additive manufacturing enables the cre-ation of customized implants with tailored porosity for enhanced osseointegration while allowing the incorporation of antimicrobial agents. Future perspectives include the in-tegration of artificial intelligence for implant design, nanotechnology for smart coatings, and bioresorbable scaffolds for improved bone regeneration. Advancing these tech-nologies will lead to more efficient, cost-effective, and patient-specific solutions, ultimately reducing infection rates and improving long-term clinical outcomes.