The Application of Agentic Artificial Intelligence in Orthopaedics

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Artificial Intelligence
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) in orthopaedics is evolving from passive query-based systems to active participation models.
• Agentic AI, a new paradigm, involves semi-autonomous collaborators for research, clinical, and rehabilitation tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in automation, prediction, and augmentation agents in orthopaedics (April 2022-October 2025).
• To outline the conceptual, technical, and ethical foundations of agentic AI's transition in orthopaedics.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature and technological advancements in AI for orthopaedics.
• Analysis of agent capabilities including information processing, independent action, knowledge seeking, and learning.

Main Results:

• Agentic AI utilizes automation, prediction, and augmentation agents in multi-agent and federated-learning systems.
• These coordinated ecosystems manage complex tasks and improve with clinical use, creating agentic AI.
• Regulatory and ethical concerns necessitate transparency, equity, and human agency.

Conclusions:

• Agentic AI represents a shift towards autonomous systems collaborating with clinicians, moving beyond passive assistance.
• Successful implementation hinges on deep human-machine collaboration and aligning computational precision with the art of restoring patient health.