Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a precise method of reproducing complex structures. Orthopaedic surgeons may utilize 3D imaging to better plan procedures, design implants, and communicate with other providers and patients. However, one of the limitations of 3D printed models has been the high cost associated with third-party creation of such tools. With the recent increases in the use of 3D printing many publically available software programs have been developed, which allow for inexpensive office-based production of models. We present a simple, inexpensive technique which can be used by surgeons for the rapid fabrication of 3D models in-office. CT scan and MRI's are stored in DICOM type format which must be transformed into a 3D image. This can be achieved using publically available programs (for example, 3D slicer (Introduction
Technique
