Abstract: Objective  To explore the application value of case-based learning (CBL) combined with 3D printing technology in teaching foot and ankle deformities in children. Methods  Forty postgraduates who were rotated in the Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from January to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into experimental group (n=20) and control group (n=20). The learning contents of the control group and the experimental group were common foot and ankle deformities in children, including the anatomical characteristics, diagnostic criteria and treatment principles of congenital equinovarus, congenital vertical talus, high arch varus and flat valgus. The control group was taught by traditional teaching method, using imaging of children with foot and ankle deformities and normal ankle models. In the experimental group, the CBL mode based on 3D printing technology was used for teaching, and the computed tomography (CT) data of foot and ankle deformities were obtained from the imaging department of our hospital to make 3D printing model. Teachers made a detailed display for the experimental group with the help of 3D model, and explained the anatomical structure, diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle deformity. After class, the teaching effect is assessed by subjective questionnaire and objective assessment. Results  The scores of subjective self-evaluation and objective assessment in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion　CBL combined with 3D printing technology can improve students' understanding of foot and ankle deformities in children, make up for the deficiency of traditional teaching, and have better teaching effect.

Key words: case-based learning, 3D printing technology, foot deformity, ankle deformity