Marketplace All-in-One 3D printing was supposed to disrupt prosthetic costs. It hasn’t.
Dec 9, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Britt Young, a writer and UC Berkeley lecturer who uses a prosthetic arm, unpacks the complexities surrounding 3D-printed prosthetics. She reveals why the technology, despite its early promise, has not significantly reduced costs. Britt highlights the hefty expenses of professional 3D printing, insurance hurdles, and legal barriers that inflate prices. Additionally, she shares inspiring stories of global initiatives using hobbyist printers, and suggests framing prosthetics as everyday assistive devices to drive change.
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Early 3D Prosthetics Fell Short
- Britt Young describes being asked about 3D printing because she has worn prosthetic arms her whole life.
- She explains early hobbyist designs were cheap, uncomfortable, and not professionally fitted.
High-End 3D Printing Still Costs A Lot
- Professional additive manufacturing uses million-dollar machines with high upkeep and climate control costs.
- Those expenses can outweigh material and labor savings, keeping prices higher than traditional methods.
Insurance Blocks Cheaper Options
- Insurance coverage is a major barrier because payers resist approving newer prosthetic technologies.
- Even simple, low-cost attachments can be denied as 'not necessary,' limiting access regardless of manufacturing cost reductions.