Abstract: Orthopaedic surgeons mainly use X-ray, CT, and MR imaging data for disease analysis, diagnosis and treatment, which often rely on the experience of doctors and lack of three-dimensional (3D) visual and tactile sense. The 3D printing technology has developed rapidly in recent years, which can quickly convert patient virtual images into threedimensional physical model. It also can build customized personalized structures to fit very specific defects within body. At present, 3D printing technology has been widely used in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of orthopedic diseases. In addition, the biological printing technology combining materials and cells may be a possible future for achieving regeneration of musculoskeletal tissue. This article aims to review the advanced research of 3D printing technology in orthopaedics, to summarize the existing problems and look forward to the future.

Key words: bone diseases, review, three-dimensional printing, guidance, templates, implants