Published Researches
Explore our collection of verified and published researches.
Dr. Md. Israt Hasan
Assistant Professor
Customized 3D-Printed Wrist-Thumb Orthoses for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: A Prospective Observational Study
Background: Wrist-thumb orthoses are commonly used in the conservative management of De Quervain's tenosynovitis; however, conventional fabrication techniques often limit anatomical fit and patient comfort. Three-dimensional (3D) printing enables patient-specific orthosis design and may improve usability, particularly in resource-limited rehabilitation settings. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction associated with customized 3D-printed wrist-thumb orthoses in individuals with De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Methods: This prospective observational study included 40 patients with clinically diagnosed De Quervain's tenosynovitis, of whom 37 completed a six-week follow-up. Participants received either a conventional thumb spica splint or a customized 3D-printed wrist-thumb orthosis based on feasibility and availability. Pain intensity and upper limb functional status were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) instrument at baseline, two weeks, four weeks, and six weeks. Satisfaction with the 3D-printed orthosis was measured using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0; MARCH Laboratory (Modeling for Assistive Technology and Community Living), Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Montreal, Quebec, Canada). Only descriptive statistical analyses were performed. Results: Both groups demonstrated substantial reductions in pain and functional disability over time. In the conventional group, mean VAS decreased from 81.25 at baseline to 14.32 at six weeks, while QuickDASH improved from 76.25 to 16.84. In the 3D-printed group, mean VAS decreased from 75.60 to 10.07, and QuickDASH improved from 72.15 to 11.34 over the same period. Numerically greater improvements were observed in the 3D-printed group. QUEST scores ranged from 3.0 to 4.5, indicating high levels of patient satisfaction. No device-related adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Customized 3D-printed wrist-thumb orthoses are feasible and associated with improvements in pain, functional outcomes, and patient satisfaction in patients with De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Findings should be interpreted as descriptive trends, and further studies with larger samples and inferential analyses are warranted. Keywords: 3d printing; de quervain’s tenosynovitis; patient satisfaction; rehabilitation medicine; wrist-thumb orthosis.
View DetailsDr. Md. Israt Hasan
Assistant Professor
Three-dimensional printing in rehabilitation medicine: Clinical applications, implementation challenges, and future directions from a low-resource setting
Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a transformative technology in rehabilitation medicine, enabling personalized orthoses, rapid prototyping, and point-of-care device fabrication. While high-income settings report growing clinical adoption, evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains limited, particularly with respect to real-world implementation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and system-level barriers. Existing evidence suggests that 3D-printed orthoses are usually comparable to conventional devices in biomechanical performance, with limited high-quality evidence demonstrating clear superiority. In this narrative review, we discuss clinical applications and implementation challenges of 3D printing in rehabilitation medicine, with particular emphasis on institutional pilot experience from Bangladesh. A structured literature search (2010-2025) was performed in PubMed and Scopus using predefined inclusion criteria focused on rehabilitation-oriented additive manufacturing. Bangladesh-specific pilot cohorts were incorporated to contextualize real-world feasibility. In a prospective descriptive cohort of patients with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (n = 17 receiving 3D-printed orthoses), no device-related structural failures or adverse skin reactions were observed during six-week follow-up. The average fabrication turnaround time was 7 to 10 days compared with 1 to 2 days for conventional splints, highlighting workflow trade-offs in resource-constrained environments. Clinical literature indicates potential advantages of additive manufacturing in anatomical conformity, weight reduction, and user satisfaction; however, implementation in tropical LMIC settings introduces material durability concerns, particularly when using polylactic acid (PLA), which may be susceptible to thermal deformation and moisture-related degradation. Successful integration, therefore, depends not only on customization capability but also on climate-appropriate material selection, interdisciplinary collaboration, and structured end-user engagement. In conclusion, current evidence suggests potential for improved usability and satisfaction with 3D-printed orthoses, while biomechanical outcomes appear largely equivalent to conventional devices in most applications. Sustainable adoption in low-resource rehabilitation systems requires embedded engineering capacity, regulatory clarity, workforce development, and user-centered co-design frameworks.
View DetailsDr. Md. Israt Hasan
Assistant Professor
3D printing technology in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome: A case report
A 35-year-old individual with carpal tunnel syndrome presented with tingling and numbness in the left thumb, index, and middle finger. A 3D printed CTS splint was crafted to immobilize the affected wrist joint, aiding pharmacotherapy. At six weeks, evaluations included the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST) version 2.0.9. Substantial improvements were observed in Bangla-BCTQ scores (symptom severity scale: 3.68 vs. 1.27; functional status scale: 2.74 vs. 1.31), VAS (70 vs. 30), and QUEST scores. 3D printing technology may contribute to better personalized musculoskeletal care enhancing quality of life.
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