Image Credit: Imaging Technology News 

Article Authors: Gordon Slater| Tandose Sambo 

Medicine is continuously evolving and the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is permeating all spheres. Within the orthopaedic realm, orthopaedic surgeons are able to improve their success rates by applying AI applications to their planning processes. The combination of technology and surgical skills has led to the improvement of patient recovery. Additional advantages to using AI in orthopaedic care, is the ability to save time and medical resources. 

AI tools result in the improvement of the ability of orthopaedic specialists to diagnose patient conditions, and to map out the treatment course. Via various tools including software and medical robots, the optimal treatment plan can be designed. 

How AI Impacts Your Orthopaedic Care

Computer applications are changing the way that we all conduct our life activities. In the orthopaedic realm, the fusion of various aspects of AI such as Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Visual Systems and Medical Robotics, all are working together in order to ensure that your treatment plan is optimized. 

Computers have the ability to process large amounts of data. When the data is queried with specific instructions or algorithms, the data can be processed into information. Programmed computers have the ability to understand and interpret both numerical information and text based information such as language. The tools that computers use to accomplish these goals are known as neural networks. 

With the information generated from various bits of patient data, your Orthopaedic surgeon will be able to comprehend, predict, act and learn your case in order to design the best treatment plan. 

Within the Orthopaedic realm, it is important to have a proper diagnosis of a condition. The right diagnosis is key to the right orthopaedic treatment. Since patients are unique, the customization of their healthcare is one of those factors that must be attended to. If patients receive the appropriate treatment, the entire cycle will benefit. Insurance claims will reduce, and rework will be eliminated. 

AI enables the processing of the collation of all of a patient’s medical records into a structured format that can be queried and understood. AI can identify any anomalies in patient recovery. Via early detection, treatment can be quickly administered. In arthroplasty procedures for instance, AI can be used to diagnose and plan patient treatment. 

Pre-Operative Planning 

It is always important to understand the impact of a procedure prior to its implementation. AI is key to preoperative planning. Surgeons are able to import the relevant patient data and images into a software, and the surgeon can simulate the different surgical routes that can be taken to treat the patient. Via simulations, all possibilities can be identified, and the software, once it becomes an expert, can identify the best treatment path. This predictive capability saves time and resources, and saves the patient in terms of recovery time.  

Surgical procedures are always the path of last resort in patient care, and via AI tools the risks to patients can be significantly reduced. 

Article Reference: 

[1]Peekmed: Artificial Intelligence