Application of Game Theory to Orthopaedic Surgery

Game theory is branch of mathematical economics that pertains to decision-making and is a conceptual framework for explaining and predicting situational outcomes.1 In game theory, the games are simplified abstractions of real-life scenarios but often accurately predict human decision-making. The principles of game theory have been applied to a wide range of disciplines including government policy, international relations, sport and military strategy, and evolutionary biology.1,2 This article will examine some of the classic games and explore their applications to orthopaedic surgery.