Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41893199›Full record

ReviewJournal of functional biomaterials2026

Three-Dimensional Printing of a Spinal Interbody: Design Principles, Biomaterials, and Translational Considerations.

Sahil Garg, Patrick Young, Christopher Franquemont, Rachel Conley, Sanjitpal Gill

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of functional biomaterials, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sahil GargThe Steadman Clinic, Vail, CO 81657, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-3815-1894
Patrick YoungThe Steadman Clinic, Vail, CO 81657, USA.
Christopher FranquemontSchool of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
Rachel ConleyThe Steadman Clinic, Vail, CO 81657, USA.ORCID 0009-0008-0345-9630
Sanjitpal GillThe Steadman Clinic, Vail, CO 81657, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInterbody spinal fusion is a common surgical treatment for degenerative, traumatic, and deformity-related spinal pathologies. Despite advances in cage geometry and fixation strategies that improve alignment and early stability, reliable fusion remains limited by the mechanical and biological constraints of conventional interbody implant materials. Traditional titanium and polymer-based cages often fail to optimally balance load sharing, osteointegration, and biological activity within the mechanically demanding interbody environment. This narrative review examines the development and translational potential of 3D-printed interbody fusion devices, with emphasis on how additive manufacturing enables the integration of mechanical performance with biologically active scaffold design.

methodsA thorough literature review was performed to evaluate the evolution, design principles, material properties, and translational outcomes of three-dimensional (3D)-printed interbody fusion devices.

resultsAdditive manufacturing enables precise control over implant architecture, allowing for the fabrication of porous, lattice-based cages with tunable stiffness, optimized load sharing, and enhanced bone-implant integration. Preclinical and early clinical studies suggest that 3D-printed porous titanium cages may reduce subsidence, promote osteointegration, and improve fusion-related outcomes compared with conventional designs. Emerging evidence indicates that scaffold porosity, surface microtopography, and bioactive coatings influence macrophage polarization, angiogenesis, and osteogenic signaling. Polymeric and composite constructs, particularly hybrid designs incorporating surface functionalization, represent promising adjuncts, though clinical evidence remains limited.

conclusionsThree-dimensional printing represents a paradigm shift in interbody fusion device design. Continued translational research and longer-term clinical follow-up are required to validate efficacy and guide widespread clinical adoption.

Indexed as

3D printinginterbody designlumbar fusion

Identifiers

PMID41893199
PMCPMC13027549

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.