Salar Khaledian
1,2 
, Ghobad Mohammadi
3, Mohadese Abdoli
4,5, Arad Fatahian
6, Arya Fatahian
6, Reza Fatahian
2,7* 1 Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
2 Clinical Research Development Center, Taleghani and Imam Ali Hospitals, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
3 Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
4 Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Innovative Science and Technology, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
5 Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
6 School of Dentistry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
7 Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an important factor in sensory and motor disorders that affects thousands of people every year. Currently, despite successes in basic science and clinical research, there are few effective methods in the treatment of chronic and acute spinal cord injuries. In the last decade, the use of 3D printed scaffolds in the treatment of SCI had satisfactory and promising results. By providing a microenvironment around the injury site and in combination with growth factors or cells, 3D printed scaffolds help in axon regeneration as well as neural recovery after SCI. Here, we provide an overview of tissue engineering, 3D printing scaffolds, the different polymers used and their characterization methods. This review highlights the recent encouraging applications of 3D printing scaffolds in developing the novel SCI therapy.