Injuries or fractures in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) region can be managed through various methods, including surgical pins, finger splint immobilizers, casts, or buddy taping, depending on the physician's recommendation. When a splint immobilizer is selected, the currently available market options, such as aluminium finger splints (Product A) and finger corrector splints (Product B), exhibit limitations in their usability during water-related activities. This study aims to develop a finger splint immobilizer (FSI) utilizing cost-effective 3D printed and recyclable PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) material to address these limitations.

Thirty healthy respondents will wear three types of finger splints—namely, the 3D printed prototype, Product A and Product B—on their ring fingers for a duration of 24 hours.

The comfort level of the splints will be assessed using a structured questionnaire. Additionally, the production cost of the 3D-printed prototype will be evaluated by measuring electrical consumption and filament usage. These costs will then be compared to the prices of Product A and Product B.

The average comfort rating for washing activities was 2.76 for the 3D-printed splint, while Product A received a rating of 3.23 and Product B was rated at 2.67, using a scale where 1 indicates least difficulty and 5 indicates most difficulty. This indicates that the comfort level of the 3D printed splint is comparable to that of Product B and superior to that of Product A for water-related daily activities. Additionally, the production cost of the 3D printed prototype was only 0.093 USD, whereas Product A was priced at 1,23 USD and Product B at 0.93 USD.

The findings of this study add to the potential of 3D printing technology in the medical field, particularly in the development of medical devices tailored to various individual patient needs. The use of PETG not only enhances the mechanical properties of the splint but also promotes sustainability through its recyclability. Future research is recommended to further investigate the long-term effectiveness and user satisfaction of the 3D printed finger splint in clinical settings, as well as to explore the potential for expanding this technology to other medical applications.