Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality in Orthopedic Surgery: A Comprehensive Review

Artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) are being used in orthopedic surgery, with goals of enhancing surgical precision, trainee education, patient engagement, and personalized surgical strategies. AI-based predictive modeling, automated computer vision and image analytics, and robotic surgery are changing orthopedic preoperative planning and intraoperative decision-making, with the ultimate aim of improving postoperative outcomes through reduced variability in surgery. VR technologies are being used in orthopedic surgical simulations to provide safe environments for skill development in surgical trainees, helping them practice complex procedures before performing live surgeries. VR platforms are also being studied in-patient rehabilitation, focusing on interactive and gamified approaches that could enhance patients' adherence, recovery, and outcomes. Major pitfalls and challenges that need to be addressed include technical and logistical barriers, ethical concerns surrounding patient data privacy, and resistance to change among surgeons, trainees, and scientists. Improved infrastructure, standardized protocols, and further research to validate the long-term benefits will be imperative for the integration of AI and VR technologies into clinical and surgical workflows.