Recent Advances in Orthopedic Tissue Engineering: Bridging Stem Cells and 3D Printing

Abstract

Autograft is currently the gold standard in orthopedic treatments due to its ability to provide osteogenic cells, osteoconductive matrices, and osteoinductive factors. However, autografts come with significant limitations, including risk of donor site morbidity, infection, and graft rejection. In response to these shortcomings, the field has turned into scaffold-based strategies that mimic the extracellular matrix and provide structural and biochemical support for tissue regeneration. Among the various scaffold fabrication techniques, 3D printing has emerged as a powerful tool due to its capacity for precise control over internal architecture. Despite the advantages of scaffolds, large-scale tissue defects require more than just structure, they demand active biological participation. This highlights the need for the integration of viable cells, particularly stem cells (SCs), to facilitate complete and functional tissue regeneration. Consequently, combining SCs with 3D printed scaffolds presents a synergistic approach to bone regeneration. This review explores recent advances in orthopedics using 3D printing and SCs, offering researchers insights into the integration of SCs with 3D printed constructs in various forms and materials. By focusing on both the technological innovation in scaffold fabrication and the biological potential of SCs, this work offers a roadmap for future research strategies aimed at advancing personalized regenerative therapies in orthopedics. © 2026 The Author(s). Small Structures published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.