Augmented Reality in Orthopedics: Current State and Future Directions.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Imaging
• Computer-Assisted Surgery

Background:

• Augmented reality (AR) integrates computer-generated images with the real world in real-time.
• AR technology is increasingly adopted in surgical settings.
• Preclinical studies indicate AR's potential for intra-operative guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current applications of AR in orthopedic surgery.
• To assess AR's use at both preclinical and clinical levels.
• To outline future directions and potential benefits of AR in orthopedics.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on AR in orthopedics.
• Synthesis of current evidence on AR's utility in surgical procedures.
• Analysis of AR's role in various orthopedic subspecialties.

Main Results:

• AR has been applied across diverse orthopedic procedures, including tumor resection, fracture fixation, arthroscopy, and joint replacement.
• Evidence suggests AR can aid intra-operative decision-making and guidance.
• The technology is being explored for its potential to enhance surgical accuracy and outcomes.

Conclusions:

• AR is a valuable emerging tool in orthopedic surgery.
• Further research and clinical validation are needed to fully realize AR's benefits.
• AR holds significant promise for advancing orthopedic surgical practice.