Revolutionizing Orthopaedics: The Role of Augmented Reality in Modern Orthopedic Surgery

  •   Mon, Feb 10 2025
  •   By Dr Vivian Roshan D'Almeida

Febraury 10, 2025 

Orthopedic surgery focuses on treating problems in the bones, joints, and muscles. Whether it’s repairing a fractured bone, replacing a damaged joint, or treating conditions like arthritis, these procedures often require precision and skill. With advancements in technology, orthopedic surgery is becoming safer and more effective. One of the most exciting innovations is Augmented reality (AR)—a technology that overlays virtual images or data onto the real world. 

AR is transforming how surgeons operate, making procedures more accurate, efficient, and beneficial for patients. In this article, we’ll explore how AR is used in orthopedic surgery, what it means for patients, and what the future holds for this groundbreaking technology. 

What Is Augmented Reality? 

Imagine wearing a pair of glasses or looking at a screen that adds extra information to what you see. For example, if you’re watching a sports game, you might see player stats pop up on the screen in real-time. That’s augmented reality—enhancing the real world with virtual elements. 

In orthopaedic surgery, AR helps doctors by providing them with detailed, real-time visuals of a patient’s anatomy. Using special headsets, screens, or cameras, surgeons can see 3D images of bones, muscles, and joints overlaid on the patient’s body. This technology helps them plan and perform surgeries with unmatched precision. 

How AR Is Used in Orthopaedic Surgery 

Orthopaedic procedures often involve complex movements, precise placement of implants, and detailed repairs. AR assists surgeons in several important ways: 

1. Pre-Surgical Planning 

Before surgery, doctors use scans like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to understand a patient’s condition. With AR, these scans can be converted into 3D models that surgeons can study and manipulate virtually. This allows them to plan the surgery step by step, making it easier to predict and avoid potential complications. 

2. Real-Time Visualization During Surgery 

During the procedure, AR tools provide a real-time view of the patient’s anatomy. For example, a surgeon repairing a fractured femur can use AR to “see through” the skin and locate the exact position of the bone fragments. This helps them align the bone perfectly and place screws or plates with greater accuracy. 

3. Guidance for Implant Placement 

In joint replacement surgeries, such as hip or knee replacements, it’s crucial to place the artificial joint in the right position. AR provides precise measurements and guidance, ensuring the implant fits perfectly. This reduces the risk of long-term problems like joint instability or uneven wear.

 

4. Training and Simulation 

AR is not just for surgeries—it’s also a powerful teaching tool. Surgeons in training can use AR to practice complex procedures in a virtual environment. This allows them to gain experience without any risk to real patients. 

Benefits of AR in Orthopedic Surgery 

AR offers several benefits that improve both the surgical process and patient outcomes: 

1. Greater Precision 

Orthopedic surgery requires millimeter-level accuracy. AR enhances a surgeon’s vision, helping them perform procedures with incredible precision. This reduces the risk of errors, such as misplacing screws or implants.

 

2. Faster Surgeries 

AR provides surgeons with all the information they need in real-time, eliminating the need to constantly refer to X-rays or CT scans. This speeds up the procedure, reducing the time a patient spends in the operating room. 

3. Minimized Tissue Damage 

With AR, surgeons can make smaller incisions and avoid unnecessary damage to surrounding tissues. This minimally invasive approach leads to less pain, fewer scars, and faster recovery for patients. 

4. Lower Risk of Complications 

By improving accuracy, AR reduces the chances of complications such as infections, implant misalignment, or the need for repeat surgeries. 

5. Better Outcomes for Patients 

Ultimately, AR helps surgeons achieve better results, whether it’s restoring mobility, reducing pain, or ensuring long-term success of the surgery. 

A Real-Life Example: Repairing a Fractured Bone 

Let’s consider how AR works in a common orthopedic scenario: repairing a fractured femur (thigh bone). 

A fractured femur often requires surgery to align the broken bone and hold it in place with screws, plates, or rods. Without AR, surgeons rely on X-rays during the operation to guide them, which can be time-consuming and less precise. 

With AR, the surgeon wears a headset or uses a screen that shows a 3D image of the patient’s femur. This image is overlaid on the actual bone, helping the surgeon see exactly where to make cuts, place screws, and align the bone fragments. The AR system provides real-time feedback, ensuring everything is positioned perfectly. 

The result? A quicker, more accurate surgery with fewer complications and a faster recovery for the patient.

 

Challenges of Using AR in Orthopedic Surgery 

While AR has many benefits, there are still challenges to overcome:

     1.      High Costs: The equipment and software needed for AR are expensive, which may limit its availability in some hospitals.

     2.      Training Requirements: Surgeons need specialized training to use AR effectively, which takes time and resources.

     3.      Technology Limitations: AR systems are still evolving, and some may not yet provide the level of detail or accuracy needed for complex procedures.

     4.      Integration with Existing Tools: Hospitals need to ensure AR systems work seamlessly with other medical devices and imaging tools. 

Despite these challenges, the future of AR in orthopedic surgery looks promising as the technology becomes more advanced and affordable. 

What AR Means for Patients 

If you or a loved one needs orthopedic surgery, AR technology could offer significant benefits:

       •        Quicker Recovery: With less tissue damage and shorter surgery times, patients can recover faster and get back to their normal activities sooner.

       •        Fewer Complications: The precision of AR reduces the risk of complications, giving patients greater peace of mind.

       •        Better Long-Term Results: Accurate surgeries mean better alignment, stronger joints, and fewer problems down the road. 

It’s important to discuss with your surgeon whether AR or other advanced technologies are available and suitable for your specific condition. 

The Future of AR in Orthopedics 

As AR continues to evolve, it’s expected to play an even bigger role in orthopedic surgery. Researchers are working on:

       •        More Affordable Systems: Making AR technology accessible to more hospitals and patients.

       •        Enhanced Visuals: Improving the quality and detail of AR images for greater accuracy.

       •        Remote Surgery Assistance: Allowing experienced surgeons to guide procedures remotely using AR.

       •        Personalized Surgeries: Combining AR with 3D printing to create custom implants tailored to each patient’s anatomy. 

The combination of AR with other technologies, like robotics and artificial intelligence, could revolutionize the way surgeries are performed, leading to even better outcomes for patients.

 

Conclusion 

Augmented reality is changing the game in orthopedic surgery. By giving surgeons real-time guidance, improving precision, and reducing risks, AR is helping patients heal faster and achieve better results. While it’s still a developing technology, its potential is enormous. 

If you’re facing orthopedic surgery, rest assured that innovations like AR are paving the way for a safer and more effective future. Always consult your healthcare provider to understand the latest options available for your care. 

With augmented reality, the future of orthopedic surgery is brighter than ever.

 

 

 
By Dr Vivian Roshan D'Almeida
Dr Vivian Roshan D’Almeida is a professor and the unit chief at FMMCH, Mangaluru. He also serves as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and knee specialist at Amritha Polyclinic, Balmatta, Mangaluru.
To submit your article / poem / short story to Daijiworld, please email it to news@daijiworld.com mentioning 'Article/poem submission for daijiworld' in the subject line. Please note the following:

  • The article / poem / short story should be original and previously unpublished in other websites except in the personal blog of the author. We will cross-check the originality of the article, and if found to be copied from another source in whole or in parts without appropriate acknowledgment, the submission will be rejected.
  • The author of the poem / article / short story should include a brief self-introduction limited to 500 characters and his/her recent picture (optional). Pictures relevant to the article may also be sent (optional), provided they are not bound by copyright. Travelogues should be sent along with relevant pictures not sourced from the Internet. Travelogues without relevant pictures will be rejected.
  • In case of a short story / article, the write-up should be at least one-and-a-half pages in word document in Times New Roman font 12 (or, about 700-800 words). Contributors are requested to keep their write-ups limited to a maximum of four pages. Longer write-ups may be sent in parts to publish in installments. Each installment should be sent within a week of the previous installment. A single poem sent for publication should be at least 3/4th of a page in length. Multiple short poems may be submitted for single publication.
  • All submissions should be in Microsoft Word format or text file. Pictures should not be larger than 1000 pixels in width, and of good resolution. Pictures should be attached separately in the mail and may be numbered if the author wants them to be placed in order.
  • Submission of the article / poem / short story does not automatically entail that it would be published. Daijiworld editors will examine each submission and decide on its acceptance/rejection purely based on merit.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to edit the submission if necessary for grammar and spelling, without compromising on the author's tone and message.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to reject submissions without prior notice. Mails/calls on the status of the submission will not be entertained. Contributors are requested to be patient.
  • The article / poem / short story should not be targeted directly or indirectly at any individual/group/community. Daijiworld will not assume responsibility for factual errors in the submission.
  • Once accepted, the article / poem / short story will be published as and when we have space. Publication may take up to four weeks from the date of submission of the write-up, depending on the number of submissions we receive. No author will be published twice in succession or twice within a fortnight.
  • Time-bound articles (example, on Mother's Day) should be sent at least a week in advance. Please specify the occasion as well as the date on which you would like it published while sending the write-up.

Leave a Comment

Title: Revolutionizing Orthopaedics: The Role of Augmented Reality in Modern Orthopedic Surgery



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.