Could 3D printing revolutionise prosthetic limbs and care for amputees?

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “When two hands are using the bamboos you are not able to do domestic work in the house.” open image in gallery There is a major shortage of trained prosthetists in poorer countries Stories of lives devastated by conflict or disease are all too common across low-income countries. But of course the difference between a toy and a prosthetic arm is that you need professional involvement to enhance use of the devices and ensure they are fitting properly.” It is remarkable that people who do not even own a printer can obtain a functional child’s hand for the price of a theatre ticket within 24 hours. We are still in the infancy stage at this moment.” open image in gallery The key for children is making prosthetics look like toys Another place that has experimented with this technology is in the cruel, forgotten war cursing the Nuba mountains of Sudan, where an American named Tom Catena has been working as the only permanent doctor for half a million people around his Mother of Mercy Hospital. They are the experts – and they are deeply interested in doing whatever they can to get the children walking.” Ratto’s aim is to use their technology to fit 8,000 people with 3D-printed mobility devices within five years, across some 20 sites in low-income countries.