The implementation of artificial intelligence in upper extremity surgery: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Artificial Intelligence
• Upper Extremity Procedures

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into medical practice.
• Upper extremity (UE) orthopedics is experiencing a rapid expansion of AI applications.
• Understanding the current impact of AI in UE surgery is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and investigate the current landscape of AI in upper extremity (UE) surgery.
• To analyze the impact and applications of AI within UE orthopedic procedures.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed following PRISMA guidelines.
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select relevant studies on AI in UE surgery.
• 118 articles published between 2009 and 2024 were included in the review.

Main Results:

• AI applications in UE surgery are diverse, including automated image analysis (36%), surgical outcome prediction (20%), and measurement tools (14%).
• AI excels in interpreting radiographs and MRIs, often matching or exceeding clinician accuracy.
• AI tools improve patient assessment through enhanced measurement of range of motion and critical angles.

Conclusions:

• AI is significantly impacting UE surgery, particularly in image analysis and predictive analytics for surgical outcomes.
• AI-powered tools enhance diagnostic accuracy, surgical planning, and patient assessment in upper extremity orthopedics.
• The continued evolution of AI promises to further improve decision-making, precision, and patient care in UE surgery.