In the last decade, we have been introduced to self-driving cars and virtual home assistants; therefore, it should not come as a surprise that robotics has also assumed a role in medicine and healthcare. In orthopedics, artificial intelligence (AI) has been implemented in total joint replacement procedures with excellent results.
In my opinion, the most important application of artificial intelligence in surgery is to facilitate personalization of care. Previously, surgeons had to base their practice on evidence from outside institutions, forcing them to draw conclusions based on other doctors’ patients in order to counsel their own patients. However, in one of our most recent and most important projects, the American Hip Institute has created an AI-powered algorithm that enables us to determine the best course of care for our individual patient. This computer algorithm is based on our own surgical outcomes data, preventing the need to extrapolate from another institution’s evidence.
Now, when counseling an individual, we can input patient-specific information into our AI-based algorithm to determine the best treatment options for the patient and their associated success rates. At the American Hip Institute, we have published multiple studies exploring the benefits of AI for the patient, and the evidence is compelling. It is an exciting time to be an orthopedic surgeon, and exciting for me personally to be able to offer technologically enhanced, high-level medical care.