How AI Technology Is Improving Orthopedic Practices

Artificial intelligence has been quickly gaining momentum and has become more integrated into our daily lives. From social media algorithms to voice integration technology, many aspects of our lives contain rudimentary artificial intelligence forms. The medical industry has been slowly working to have more AI technology in today’s practices, and in orthopedics, the use of artificial intelligence has been exceedingly helpful to both patients and doctors. AI technology has become one of the biggest technologies to impact orthopedic practices, and with its current uses, the future of AI technology in orthopedics looks bright. 

The Latest Technologies in Today’s Orthopedic Practices 

While most people think of AI technology like robots, robots are only one facet of the amazing side of this technology. Many forms of artificial intelligence today appear in computers, cell phones, software, and other machine learning devices. Artificial intelligence consists of algorithms or processes containing sets of rules that perform calculations and problem-solving operations that would normally be performed by people. Voice recognition software, navigation apps, and customer service chatbots are just small examples of how AI technology is used today, and right now, this form of technology is also being used in healthcare practices for improving treatment. 

In orthopedic practices, many orthopedists are able to utilize AI technology in many ways, and some of those ways include:

• Improving Imagery: For gathering images from x-rays and radiographs, artificial intelligence can create complex 3D images to provide orthopedists with a better look at a patient’s condition and help better interpret any conditions that may be affecting them. It can be used to detect microfractures, osteoarthritis, and other various conditions that may go undiagnosed with traditional methods. 
• Data Analysis: Interpreting data from a patient’s medical history can be extremely challenging, but artificial intelligence can come in handy to look for better insights into a patient’s diagnosis. 
• Orthopedic Tools: AI technology can also be used to help orthopedic surgeons prepare for treatments, gain a deeper insight into a patient’s diagnosis, and even provide suggestions for patient recovery based on the latest data. 
• Pre-Surgery Planning: Orthopedists can also use artificial intelligence as a way to provide a digital template for future surgeries and provide the best measurements and techniques to increase efficiency. 
• Surgical Procedures: In some cases, AI technology can even assist in the surgeries themselves, providing greater surgical accuracy and offering patients the best possible recovery outcome for their surgery. 

The Impact of AI Technology In The Future

These are only some of the smallest ways that AI technology has changed orthopedic care and will continue to do so in the future. Artificial intelligence will eventually provide more of an assisting hand in recognizing rare diseases and complex conditions that have no cures or forms of treatment. For patients today, technology may soon be able to help them live better lives overall by giving them the medical tools they need to heal and recover. For more information about how AI may help you, contact your local orthopedist to learn more about how they’re advancing their treatments for your care.